For more than ten years, Yana German has been making headlines as one of Chicago’s premier designers. Her exclusive line of women’s clothing, “The Yana Collection” is described as classic elegance with a progressive edge of femininity and sheik European flair. This collection landed her a role as a Designer in Residence for the 2008 Macy’s on State Street, Chicago Fashion Incubator, (CFI). She credits the success of The Yana Collection to the way she has been able to portray her designs in the exclusive Yana German Modeling-School of Walk, fashion shows.
Yana’s career in modeling and fashion design emerged, while working for several of the most noted fashion houses in Europe. It was during her time in Italy, that Yana began to meld her knowledge of movement and fashion design into her own unique style of runway modeling. Her training in classical ballet, along with her study of music and dance while living in Russia, gave her the basis for combining the elements of plyometric driven movement with the body’s alignment and overall balance. Her European style of training emphasizes a model’s poise, using diaphragmatic breathing to improve posture and fluidity.
She employs a propriety instructional method which focuses on the critical component of 4-inch heels and their positive impact on the Catwalk. This technique transforms “a walk” into an art form of intentional, harmoniously flowing movement known throughout the fashion industry as the “Yana Difference.”
Yana is an active member of the Apparel Industry Board, an aspiring Russian Theater Group. True to her Russian heritage, she is a member of the Chicago Sister Cities International Program with Moscow. Yana continues to expand her philanthropic endeavors through numerous charity fashion shows.
