ABOUT IYANNA
Iyanna James Stephenson moves through the world as a living canvas, a conduit for creative vision and artistic expression. As a model and multidisciplinary artist, she approaches her work with a philosophy of radical openness: becoming the blank slate upon which photographers, designers, and directors paint their stories.
This ability to channel creative energy isn't accidental. It's cultivated through dedicated movement practice. Iyanna's background spans Burlesque performance, West African dance, and embodied artistry, giving her an intuitive understanding of how the body communicates beyond words. Her movement work has taught her to listen deeply to direction, to inhabit different energies fluidly, and to surrender to the collaborative process while maintaining presence and intention.
A renaissance woman with roots in Miami, Philadelphia, and Jamaica, Iyanna identifies as a Queer, Caribbean, Black woman whose work explores themes of liberation, vulnerability, and authenticity. She holds a BA in Philosophy from Mount Holyoke College with a focus in Law, Public Policy, and Human Rights. These studies continue to inform how she approaches her image and creative practice. Philosophy taught her to question, to seek truth, and to understand the power of the body as a site of freedom and expression.
She brings high energy, positivity, and conscious intention to every collaboration, believing that the best art happens when ego dissolves and creation flows through us rather than from us.
Iyanna is currently based in Brooklyn, New York City, USA.
For all other inquiries: iyannathemodel@gmail.com