A Capricorn in her thirties. An independent fashion model born and raised in Japan. A plus-size and body positivity ambassador in an industry that has still so far more to do in promoting safe and healthy spaces for bodies of different and larger sizes. Mariana has accomplished many victories this year, including taking part of NYFW this most recent September as well as LAFW this past October by being the first Japanese fashion plus-size model to walk in the USA during Fashion Week season.

Fat isn’t bad per se. Dietary fat, when excessive can indeed lead to an unhealthy status, but there is a range of fat percentage that can push body shapes and frames into what the fashion industry and popular culture categorize as simply “fat” - not considered as a macronutrient, but as a derogatory adjective.

Mariana exudes a vibrant feminine energy with a kind face, tender voice, and warm poise. She embraces her femininity in an effortless way, but she’s aware that her appearance may stir people’s attention from her words to solely her plus-size body.

Firm in her narrative and goals, Mariana LYS shared her story and aspirations with Fashion On The Beat. We hope her work gets to be seen and appreciated as a raw testimony of a broader spectrum depicting the modern Japanese woman: fierce, sensual and educated like Mariana.

What’s your background and where are you located now?

I was born in a rural area of Japan called Yamanashi (Prefecture), close to Tokyo. When I was three years old I moved to Utah because of my father’s job. A year later we went back to Yamanashi and from 7 to 12 years old I was living in Lancaster County (Pennsylvania), also because of my father’s job. After going once again back to Yamanashi I moved to Tokyo for college and stayed there since.

What did you study in college?

I majored in English and minored in Interpretation. Initially I wanted to become an interpreter so that I could utilize my English to help bridging multiple linguistic worlds together, while helping people understand themselves and their intentions to make a better impact in the world through the power of words.

You lived in different yet all rural areas, from Utah to Pennsylvania (PA) and Yamanashi. What motivated you to build yourself this cosmopolitan identity?

Spending time in these rural and conservative places, especially PA, was a big part of my identity. Coming back to Japan after my story in PA was quite suffocating for me. I wanted to make a break from it all. Tokyo is where I now belong in a way. I wanted to be a positive force and an attentive individual paying respect to a broad range of social media.

When it comes to the plus-size movement, how did you become so passionate about this topic?

It started with me growing up and being body shamed, especially by my parents. i thought that was very normal and I thought that it was what I deserved. As years went by, the body shaming grew harder and the pressures of being on a diet became more vocal from people around me. One year I decided to lose 10 kgs. I embraced this intensive diet and I lost indeed 10 kgs in six months. When I realized that regardless of how much I tried to change my body and that I could still succeed in doing so, people who would always comment on my body they still wouldn’t stop. Those attacks would never stop. That’s when the concept of body positivity clicked in me. because I had switched my diet I realized how healthier it was, but my body and its fat could coexist in a healthy and realistic way. Even if I felt healthy, other people did not necessarily think so, but that shouldn’t have mattered. What I learned from those interactions and toxic comment was that it is important is that you are and healthy on your own terms. For this reason I wanted to start spreading more body positivity in Japan. I’m just a normal person, though. Even if I talk about body positivity and plus-size modeling on social media, there’s no much “following” or “credibility” on a wider scale. I needed to create a platform first. In Japan people tend to look up to models and so I wanted to become one, so that I could represent the body positivity movement within that role and beyond.

Did you become your own role model?

I’m not sure, because I do have my own role models and I’m a work in progress. Sofia Bush (“One Tree Hill”) is one of them. She embodies challenging and outspoken roles, but also a vibrant type of activism. Another role model of mine is Taylor Tak, a Korean plus-size morel. She was the first Asian plus-size woman I came across. She channels fierce and sensuality in her work, something you do not see in Asian women in Asia.

What’s the difference between Asian American women in the USA and Asian women in Asia?

Asian women in the US are independent and outspoken. In the US there are so many people from different backgrounds and there are different dynamics depending on the race we are talking about. Asian-American women had to go through all sorts of turmoils to get where they are now. Japan is a homogenous country and we don’t have many racial dynamics coming into place as society. Japanese women in particular do not realize that most of the times they can be independent and they’re actually allowed to speak for their minds. People who stand out are targets that need to be backed down in Japan. They don’t have the opportunity to question the norms, tradition is very strong.

How were you able to fuel this energy that feeds you and your community and those who look up to you?

I always try to remember my purpose, why I started it all. There are days when I feel down and self-doubt moments arise, but the ultimate goal is to ensure that there is a world where I can reach out to as many older Japanese Millennials as possible, so that this new generation of parents can instill healthy and sustainable examples of body positivity to their children.

How do manage your expectations when it comes to breaking the ceiling in this inudstry?

The Japanese plus size fashion industry is just getting started. The problem is establishing a demand in wanting more non-conventional bodies and sizes.

Why did you choose fashion to express yourself and your body positivty impactful activism instead of other creative outlets?

Body shaming pushed me to deprive myself from wearing certain clothes or colors. By entering the fashion world in my own way after realizing how healthy and still stylish my body could feel, I found solace in fashion. I want to become the navigator and the bridge that helps people get familiar with the body positivity movement in Japan through my appreciation and role in fashion.