Model Behavior: Yoshimi Kiosha

Monday, 08 March 2010 16:06 Written by  Brittany Rodgers

Tyra Banks is an idol to most aspiring models, and many girls would love to have the chance to be on her show, “America’s Next Top Model.” To aspiring models in Chicago, Yoshimi Kiosha is helping models achieve their goals.

At the age of 13, Yoshimi was under the hands of yphotographer Parrish Lewis, receiving her first job with The New Face of Pink Luster’s.

“Parrish raised me in the modeling industry,” said Yoshimi. “By me being 20 years old, I know everything about modeling now.”

Yoshimi was born and raised in Chicago and is 20 years old. After working with Lewis for so long, she realized that she didn’t want to be a model but wanted to work behind the scenes.

“I went out and started marketing other models and tried to start my own business, which is YK Management,” said Yoshimi. “I quit modeling, but people came up to me asking about modeling. I said you know what, I can start my own thing.”

Yoshimi says she consults, manages and also develops models, dancers and actors.

“If you don’t know how to walk, I will teach you how to walk. I have a runway coach. If you don’t know how to photograph, I will teach you. I am very photogenic. I don’t look for anything in a model; everything depends on the model,” said Yoshimi.

YK Management was incorporated in March 2009 after Yoshimi moved from Atlanta back to Chicago.

Most of her fashion shows are held in Chicago, but Yoshimi says she is trying to reach out to places such as Atlanta, Los Angeles and Miami.

Production day for Yoshimi consists of waking up at 7 a.m. and contacting her whole staff to make final arrangements. She wants everyone to be at the venue four to six hours before the show starts. Throughout those hours, models are getting their hair and makeup done and rehearsing for the show for an hour.

“When preparing for a show, I have the biggest meal of the day because that’s probably going to be my last meal of the day,” said Yoshimi.

At the peak of Yoshimi being the boss of her own company, she was conducting most of her shows in popular clubs in Chicago.

“When I moved back to Chicago, I hooked up with some promoters and started doing my shows in clubs,” said Yoshimi. “I just did my last show in the club at the Horseshoe Casino.”

Yoshimi said YK Management will no longer have shows in clubs. Her next coming shows will be at the Willis Towers, Navy Pier and the John Hancock building.

For 2010, Yoshimi plans to move YK Management out of Chicago, and she is looking for 25 elite models to help her expand.

As a young entrepreneur, Yoshimi gives advice to others, saying to always have a backbone to work in the business of your choice. “If you can’t take constructive criticism, you won’t be able to survive.”

Yoshimi Kiosha can be reached via twitter @YoshimiKiosha , Facebook: Yoshimi Kiosha , and email via This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Brittany Rodgers

Brittany Rodgers

Brittany Rodgers is a graduate of Columbia College Chicago with a Bachelor of Arts in journalism. She has written for a variety of publications, including The Chicago Tribune and Chicago Defender newspaper. She also is a blogger and enjoys social media.

Brittany can be contacted at BrittLRodgers@yahoo.com

Website: heartbrittlashay.tumblr.com

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