We had the good fortune of connecting with Tiana Marcano and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tiana, other than deciding to work for yourself, what was the single most important decision you made that contributed to your success?
The most important decision I made within my life that contributed to my success was making the decision to choose myself and work on myself as a human being and soul. It didn’t come naturally. I kind of got forced into it 3 years ago mainly when “Your life fell apart into nothing” as some may say but the beauty of that is that it takes having “nothing” to understand and experience true freedom if done correctly.

I began to understand that embodying, grounding and manifesting my true soul self will allow me to pull in the right opportunities, individuals, agencies, events, publications, etc. since I would be emanating from the inside out certain frequencies to attract what’s for my highest good. This is something I’m still actively working on. I haven’t perfected it yet but I know I will one day with the right amount of work and time going into it. Once you’ve overcome the aspects of yourself that are a part of the negative ego you will ground the antidote to each aspect you transmuted which ultimately blesses those around you and the world.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m more known for being a High Fashion Model within the industry in which I infuse an ethereal surrealism within my work. Despite being in an industry where only select models succeed due to representing the standards of the industry; I was one of the outliers who had great success as a model who didn’t necessarily represent the standards of the industry being 5 ‘3. I was one of the first few models who began to pave a way for models who weren’t 5’6 and above to have a career within this industry. I was told many times that I wouldn’t be a successful model or that I couldn’t do certain jobs and the most infamous thing I was told was that I can’t be a High Fashion Model and that it’s best for me to stick with being commercial. At the time it frustrated me and brought me down a bit. It took me a while to realize that they were mirroring aspects of myself that were hindering me from moving forward within my career and life in general. Once I understood that your outside reality is ultimately a reflection of your inner reality I began doing the energetic work to shift it. I began to notice shifts happening where I began to get published in publications such as Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam, Harper’s Bazaar Spain, Elle Italia, Marie Claire Italia, The Impression, Madame Figaro Fr, and so on back in 2022. Then brands began to reach out for me – wanting me to wear their garments for events or to be a part of a project with them. So, shifting my inner reality to then be reflected within my outer reality made my path within my career a lot more graceful and successful.
There’s a lot of factors as to how I got to where I am today but one major factor was when my ex boyfriend had encouraged me to send my digitals to agencies and I remember I was fearing rejection at the time and he told me “ There’s nothing to lose here, if anything if they say yes you’ll go up from here and if they say no then you are just where you are at right now”. I’m very grateful for listening to him because I signed to my first agency in October of 2018. One thing that I had throughout my career and life in general was a genuine support system which I will be and am forever grateful for because honestly I don’t think I could have gone through the stuff I went through without them. This includes individuals that I know within the industry like photographers, makeup artists, hair stylists, creative directors, etc. I remember this one shoot I did for Liza Kaneva which was for her project that showcased unconventional femininity and how much joy and fun I had within that shoot. There weren’t any expectations, it was just creatives being creative and creating magic and art. I found out a year later, which was back in August that the images I did with her got published with Dazed Digital and are a part of her book which you can find at The Met and The Whitney. It was so unexpected but I was immensely proud of myself at that moment. It fulfilled two dreams of mine which was to be published with dazed digital and to have my image in a museum.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
As a New York Native I would never torture my best friend through going to tourist locations unless they willing ask me to bring them there. Those closest to me who are reading this are most likely chuckling right now and know that I bestow them with the hidden gems of New York. Some places in New York that are more nature oriented that I’ve brought friends to were the conservatory garden which welcomes you with an ornate gate which is the Vanderbilt gate. When you enter the garden there are three different areas in which the north garden is French inspired, Center garden being more Italianate inspired and the south garden being English inspired. This place is so special to me since It reminded me of places I went to in France where I felt at home. Another Nature Oriented location is Fort Tyron which is near The Cloisters which is another favorite spot of mine that I love bringing friends to. Fort Tyron has an astonishing view of the Hudson and truly does not feel like New York when you’re in Fort Tryon. Food spots I would bring my Best Friends to are Laduree, Swagat on the upper west side, Le Sajj, Shuka, Balkh Shish Kabab House in Astoria and there would have been more places but a lot of my favorite restaurants in the city got closed down after the pandemic sadly. Nightlife there’s only two places that stood out to me that I would bring friends to which is The Stranger and Paul’s Casablanca. I personally don’t really enjoy the nightlife scene in New York. I prefer the European Nightlife scene.

For LA the spots I would take my Best friend to would definitely be Malibu Beach. It’s truly Magical and I can’t necessarily describe it, it’s a thing that needs to be experienced. Food places that I remember that I would take my best friend to would be Romancing the Bean Cafe, there’s plenty others I just can’t remember the name of the restaurants sadly. The Crystal Shrine in Burbank is another cool metaphysical shop that I would take my best friend to.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Oh lord this is a hard one because I want to answer saying everyone within my entire life so far. The reasoning for that is because even the “bad” people within your life were there for a reason they propelled me forward within my life and made me grow into the person I am today. Of course the “good” people within your life show you that you are capable/ are of value of receiving support and love along your journey and reflect who you truly are. Specific people I want to give a shout-out to of course are my parents first and foremost they provided me with life within this world I would quite literally not be here if it wasn’t for them. Also the immense support they were able to give me throughout my life and make sure the quality of my life was good to the degree they were able to provide which I do acknowledge and I’m forever grateful for. My boyfriend James for truly being there for me through thick and thin and being my rock and support system when I had perceived that no one else was there for me during that time. I remember I told him during the first year we were together that I was surprised he was still with me considering how psychotic I can be. My dear friend who has been there with me for 3 years and truly sees who I am beyond this 3D body. My model coach Mandy Lieveld who always had faith in me as a model and truly believed I can make it and assisted me in perfecting my craft. Also my unknown supporters who are supporting me behind the curtain that I’m not necessarily aware of who they are at this point in time but are assisting in my career growth.

Website: https://models.com/models/tiana-marcano

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tiana_marcano/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiana-marcano-96b5b9b6#:~:text=Tiana%20Marcano%20is%20an%20American,with%20prominent%20individuals%20and%20Brands.

Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm14148888/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_1_nm_7_q_tiana%2520marcano

Image Credits
Photographer: Michal Niedzwiedz Last image is from a photographer from France.

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.