Yliana Yepez

Yliana Yepez (born Yliana Carolina Yepez Martinez; March 27, 1972) is a Venezuelan fashion designer and philanthropist based in New York City, New York. She is the founder and creative director of the fashion accessory brand YLIANA YEPEZ. She was born in Paris, France and educated in Venezuela, and China. Yliana rose to national attention in the U.S. following her nomination by InStyle magazine for Best Handbag in Overall Style and Design in 2011.
Personal life
Early Life & Family
Yliana Yepez was born in Paris, France on March 27, 1972. She is the daughter of former Venezuelan Army General Jacobo Yepez Daza and Maria Itala Martinez de Yepez. As the daughter of a diplomat, Yliana lived and traveled throughout the world from a young age, becoming infatuated with the different fashions she encountered.
Yliana was baptized at Notre Dame Cathedral before moving to Venezuela at an early age. At the age of 9 she moved with her parents to Beijing, China, to accompany them on a diplomatic assignment. She appeared in TV commercials, runway shows and on magazine covers. While still modeling Yliana began to create her own clothing and accessories. At the age of 23 she partnered with a college friend to create her first fashion accessory line, BLUES by kyky. According to Yliana, she designs her collection of accessories for a modern, fashion-forward woman .
In February 2013, the first collection was revealed at the YLIANA YEPEZ launch party at the NoMad Rooftop Hotel in the Flatiron District of New York City, attended by former Miss Universe Dayana Mendoza and style icon Olivia Palermo. The YLIANA YEPEZ Handbag collection was sold in Bloomingdales across the country and on its official website.
Brand Reception
The first YLIANA YEPEZ collection, launched in February 2013, received immediate recognition from the fashion press with editorials in Glamour, InStyle, and WWD among others. YLIANA YEPEZ handbags were also featured in well-read fashion and lifestyle blogs including Refinery29 and StyleBistro In February 2013 style icon Olivia Palermo was seen wearing the ‘Mini Giovanna’ clutch from YLIANA YEPEZ. In August 2013, supermodel Cara Delevingne was seen wearing the YLIANA YEPEZ ‘Capri’ backpack in London.
Philanthropy & Society
Citizens of Fashion
In April 2013 Yepez was asked to contribute as one of five high-profile collectors to the Citizens of Fashion ‘Shoe Obsession’ exhibition at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). The exhibition was aimed to explore women’s long-held infatuation with shoes in the world of fashion and featured some of the most sought after heels ever made. The Charlotte Olympia Kiss Me Dolores pumps were chosen from Yliana’s extensive collection.
Wayuu Taya Foundation
Yepez is a long-time supporter of the Wayuu Taya Foundation, who's aim is to help improve the lives of Latin-American indigenous people. She continued that support at the 10th anniversary of the foundation in May 2012 along with musician John Legend.
New York Historical Society
In January 2013, Yepez sponsored an event for the New York Historical Society. The event “Passport Through History” raised funds for the New York Historical Society’s DiMenna Children’s History Museum supporting education programs and teacher professional development training.
Aid for Aids
AID FOR AIDS is a non-profit organization committed to improving the quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS in Latin America and the Caribbean. For her support of AID FOR AIDS, Yepez was named an Honorary Advisory Board Member at the non-profit.
Yepez has been linked to many charitable organizations throughout her career. Other notable charities she has worked with include Fundana, Senos Ayuda, and Hogar Bambi Venezuela.

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