Born To Strut – Yana Haenisch Takes On International Modelling

She walks into a room filled with models and designers and everyone feels like a top model just walked in.

When she struts onto a runway, she makes every design a vision and when she steps in front of a camera, there is no doubt that she was made for this. Yana Haenisch was born to be a model.

At 19, this Walvis Bay-born and Windhoek-raised young woman has made her mark, both in the Namibian and South African fashion industries, cementing her name as one of the most sought-after and well-respected models in the industry.

She signed with Boss Models in Cape Town two years ago and has never looked back. “I have been modelling for a couple of years now, and I love it so much. It is a great passion of mine, as I love working with creative people. Every job is like an art project for me.”

She has worked with just about everyone! From fashion designers to photographers in Namibia and recently she did a catalog shoot with local brand My Republik.

“She was great to work with. Very professional and quick, she poses and takes direction well and was on time, I would love to work with her again,” said My Republik’s brand manager Victoria Ashipala. She’s also earned a nod of approval from well respected fashion designer Chakirra Claasen. “She’s great! She’s really professional and is just a great model.”

Modelling was not always her passion, though. “I actually became interested in the modelling world after I started doing beauty pageants. I was never interested in or even thought about taking part in beauty pageants, but my grandma saw my potential and convinced me to take part in Miss Visfees, where I was crowned first princess. A year later, I was crowned the winner at the Miss De Duine beauty pageant.”

It was only after her initial beauty pageant success that Yana realised that she might be interested in modeling.

It was then after doing amateur photo-shoots with her friend that she realised how much she loved being in front of the camera. “My friend Carmen Fromke was really into photography and always used me as her model to improve her skills. I realised how much I enjoy being in front of the camera, so I decided to do modelling professionally. I searched the top agencies in South Africa and applied to the very best agencies. I was surprised that they loved me. They asked me to fly down to meet with them personally and soon started building my portfolio.”

As exciting as it is to be a jet-setting model, Yana is currently in her final year of high school and must find the all-important balance between her education and her career. “As I am still in school, I am not able to work full time. Most of the jobs I do are in Cape Town, so I have to fly down every holiday to work there. Sometimes I have to decline a job, as it would mean taking leave from school. It is very difficult to say no sometimes, but for now school comes first.

Yana attends DHPS and says she is thankful that school management has always supported her modelling career. I am very grateful to receive so much support from my teachers,” says Yana.

It’s clear that the stunning young woman’s reputation precedes her. She recently signed a contract with ICE Model Management in Milan and Elite Model Management in Miami, which is a dream come true for her.

“A big dream of mine was to do modelling and to travel after school. It is important for me to first see the world, learn about different cultures and find my true desires before deciding on a career,” she says.

Yana advises any aspiring models to focus on attitude when it comes to modelling. “It is important to be professional, otherwise clients will never work with you again.

Always be on time, get enough sleep and eat healthy. A good personality becomes more and more important in the modelling world,” she says displaying a wisdom beyond her years.

The long-legged beauty leaves Namibia at the end of October to be a full time model but insists that her studies are still important to her although will be giving all her attention to modelling for the moment.

She’s definitely an inspiration to Namibian models. The industry she’s leaving behind will surely feel the void as she discovers the world and the world discovers her. Will Yana come back to Namibia after seeing what the world has to offer?

“I love my country and I am very proud to be Namibian, so I will always support Namibia.”

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