Words by Eden Yeung
photographs by johnson lui
For our first digital cover, Guarani speaks with Atmos about Indigenous advocacy, environmental stewardship, and why the future must be ancestral.
Zaya Guarani has always been surrounded by strong women; by female leaders, shamans, and matriarchs. It’s why, at just 22 years old, the Indigenous model is so aware of the power she holds—especially in the urgent fight against climate collapse.
Born in Rondônia, Brazil, not far from the Madeira River, Zaya was raised surrounded by lush jungle, low-lying mountains, and vast stretches of savanna woodlands in one of the most biodiverse regions of the Amazon. Today, the territory resembles a war zone. Located inside the “arc of deforestation,” a stretch of rapidly-disappearing forest on the southern edge of the Amazon basin, Rondônia was at the center of 15% of Brazil’s logging activities between August 2019 and July 2020—the culmination of decades of illegal industrial activity in and around the Brazilian state.
“Witnessing the exploitation of our environment and the violation of Indigenous rights evokes in me a mix of emotions—sadness, anger, and frustration,” said Zaya, who is a member of the powerful Kamurape and Guarani Mbya ethnicities, and whose family has long been forced to move between territories in order to escape the violence caused by rampant and unregulated extraction. “As Indigenous people, we serve as guardians of an entire ecosystem, yet some still seek to exploit our land and livelihoods.”
So, when Zaya was signed by Ford as the agency’s first Indigenous model, it was not just a personal win. The fashion industry has influence and reach—and Zaya was determined to use her platform to advocate for collective action. “With each passing day, I feel echoes of our past guiding us,” she told Atmos. “I truly believe that the future is ancestral.” Zaya went on to break from the modeling agency 12 months later, citing a lack of meaningful support from Ford.
Even so, in just five years of working in fashion, Zaya has collaborated with the likes of Vogue Brasil, Louis Vuitton, and Moncler. She has founded the first Indigenous Creative Collective, and was named “Fashion Influencer of the Year” at the inaugural Latin American Fashion Awards for her continued dedication to championing Indigenous talent and foregrounding Indigenous cultures and experiences. In a recent editorial for British Vogue, Zaya proudly showcased her Jenipapo ink tattoos, and paid homage to both the Tupinambá cape and the vibrant hues of the Brazilian scarlet macaw. When she’s not working on a creative project, Zaya is advising organizations like the Slow Factory and the United Nations on the transformative potential of traditional knowledge.
Below, Zaya speaks with Atmos from her base in New York about Indigenous environmentalism, the power of spirituality, and her ever-evolving identity as a spokesmodel for her community.
Eden Yeung
How would you describe your upbringing and your journey from your home in the Amazon jungle to your current home in the concrete jungle?
Zaya Guarani
Everything here in New York feels vastly different from my reality in the Amazon. I always try to bring my own personal beliefs and confidence in my upbringing to my life here. What I think makes me strong enough to live in this fast-paced city—which is, of course, intense for everyone—is my cosmovision. I strive to view New York as I do the Amazon—a distinct [interconnected] system, although of a different nature.
Even though New York may not look like the conventional notion of nature at first glance; it is, in essence, a part of nature itself.
“As Indigenous people, we serve as guardians of an entire ecosystem, yet some still seek to exploit our land and livelihoods.”
Eden
New York truly feels like its own unique kind of ecosystem. Every time I’m back here, I feel so energized by my surroundings. It goes without saying that Brazil is worlds apart from New York—and you’re adapting and embracing the differences with so much grace and strength. Do you attribute your determination to your background as an Amazonian spirit worker?
Zaya
My spiritual background is what keeps me grounded. But how I view that background evolves every day.
For a long time, I was just a girl from the Amazon. But in New York, I’ve met so many diverse people of so many cultures. My community in the Amazon is so tight knit that many within it are afraid of leaving and living in another ecosystem. I carry a lot of those same concerns with me, but I want to move differently. And the people of New York have taught and inspired me. Lately, I’ve been trying to move more intentionally with bravery and a more open heart—because I know that when I do, I actually gain more power to bring others closer to my roots and heritage.
Eden
I admire how you have taken yourself out of your comfort zone to advocate and raise awareness for that same exact zone. Your heritage clearly radiates off of you. I would love to hear about how your roots affect your view on nature.
Zaya
It’s been hard to live in this city. I can’t be anywhere without nature for more than two or three weeks. My behaviors and habits start to change. I get more anxious. The noise, the panic—I was raised to run in the middle of nature. I wasn’t meant to stay within walls. I used to be one with a space where I could look out as far as I could towards the horizon.
Eden
That sounds like absolute freedom.
Zaya
Now, the proportions feel very close, almost claustrophobic.
Eden
As you spend more time in New York, do you find yourself gradually losing touch with those sensitivities?
Zaya
Yes, I feel I am definitely losing some of the sensitivity that comes with being the granddaughter of a shaman. If I spend too much time away, I lose some of that close connection with my Indigenous brothers and sisters. I don’t feel the innate responses that are second nature to me in the Amazon when I’m outside in the nature of New York. I’m trying to reframe it as a shift in mindset, rather than a loss.
In the jungle, I’d likely be practicing the rituals of my grandmother or another respected leader, deeply connected to nature at the level she offers. I definitely miss that. But once you’re in the city, you cultivate a different understanding; a different journey.
Eden
How do environmental and Indigenous rights issues intersect, and how do they resonate with you personally?
Zaya
I believe that the more we humans exist, the more we contribute to the deepening climate crisis by impacting our ecosystem and way of life. Transitioning to a sustainable lifestyle requires significant change and commitment. As an activist, I attend conferences and advocate alongside friends who are deeply engaged in the cause. It’s not an easy path. We continually educate ourselves on topics that are often overlooked, like consumption and systemic collapse.
It’s challenging to confront the climate crisis, especially as an Indigenous person deeply rooted in my community’s struggles. As an advocate for Indigenous rights and sovereignty, I often encounter individuals driven by ego, seeking to exploit Earth’s resources without understanding her as our Mother. It’s crucial to pause and reflect on how we can enact change and provide support [to the communities that need it most] in this critical moment.
Eden
Could you provide us with your perspective on some of the issues most affecting Indigenous communities in Brazil?
Zaya
Yes—the first thing is the recognition of territories and the support and protection from big corporate entities and governments. People in power can significantly impact the existence of Indigenous communities. What often happens is that individuals working in large industries, such as mining and logging, continually encroach upon Indigenous territories for resources. They bring machines into the rivers, contaminating them with mercury, which in turn poisons the entire ecosystem. Trees, fish, and ultimately, our way of life are all affected.
As Indigenous people, we serve as guardians of an entire ecosystem, yet some [people] still seek to exploit our land and livelihoods. It’s a challenging situation where we lack adequate support, even with the establishment of Brazil’s Ministry of Indigenous Peoples, a historic first in Latin America. The pressure on Indigenous individuals working within the government is immense, and there’s a pervasive fear of what may come next.
Eden
How would you describe your relationship with your hair, and how does it intertwine with your relationship to the natural realm?
Zaya
I have always been deeply attached to my hair because I perceive hair as an extension of our minds, embodying a certain energy unique to each individual.
It may sound unconventional, but I believe it transcends the physical confines of our bodies, reaching into realms beyond mere expression. My connection to my hair is profound as it symbolizes femininity, particularly during significant moments such as menstruation or alignment with the lunar cycle. In many communities, including ours, hair is regarded as a symbol of power and an expression of womanhood. It’s not solely about physical appearance, but rather about embracing one’s personality and thoughts; about embodying the essence of womanhood in its entirety.
“I feel a profound responsibility to protect the next generation, having overcome countless obstacles in my own journey.”
Eden
Do you find that your hairstyle varies depending on your mood or your level of spiritual connection? I noticed today that you’ve incorporated feathers into your hair.
Zaya
Yes—in Brazil, the jungle has a diverse range of birds, each one contributing something distinct to the tropical ecosystem. This particular feather piece resonates profoundly with me. Crafted by an incredibly talented Indigenous craftswoman, Maddie Guajara, the piece represents the connection between myself, Maddie, and the bird that shares its essence with me.
It’s so true that my hair represents my body and all the connections I hold dear. I’m finally allowing myself to express my hair in different ways without feeling guilt as though I’m betraying traditions or culture. I want to love every expression of myself as I continue to evolve.
Eden
I commend you for no longer allowing shame or fear to hold you back. You inspire me. You are so in tune with the spiritual realm, so I’m sure your intuition lets you know whenever you are making the right choice.
Zaya
I feel like I’m a very different Indigenous woman from who I was, say, 10 years ago. And it’s not just me—so many Indigenous creatives, particularly the youth, are evolving alongside modernity. I’m ready for the world to accept Indigenous people in all our expressions.
Don’t get me wrong, I find solace in my spiritual elders and guides, who provide invaluable wisdom and guidance. Similarly, I feel a profound responsibility to protect the next generation, having overcome countless obstacles in my own journey. My existence, here in New York, conducting this interview, is a testament to that resilience. I am living a reality that I started dreaming about 10 years ago. I aim to pass on any knowledge I possess, so that our land, forests, and cultural heritage endure and thrive for generations to come.
Photography assistants Chris Smith, Bridget Gao Styling Chino Castilla Styling Assistants Reinaldo Rivera Nunez, Alexis Ayala Sustainable Fashion Consultant Marina Testino Hair Evanie Frausto Hair assistants Marin Mullen Makeup Yuki Hayashi Makeup assistants Valerie Vitko, Mert Nazlim Art Direction Tessa Forrest, Eden Yeung Creative producer Louisiana Mei Gelpi Production assistant/Social Hannah Méndez Shot at Laobra Studios
Zaya Guarani: The Fast-Rising Model Born and Raised in the Amazon
