Yillian Marie Atkinson: The Geometry of Confidence

Sharp tailoring, strong proportions and precise lines redefine power dressing, where confidence comes not from excess, but from knowing yourself.

Confidence dressing is less about commanding attention than knowing exactly how you want to enter a room. In this story, sharp pinstripes and sculpted shoulders give way to relaxed whites, tactile textures and flashes of gold, moving between strength and ease. Yet perhaps the most compelling accessory is Yillian Marie Atkinson’s smile. Actress, model, athlete and artist, she wears confidence without taking herself too seriously. Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam talks with Yillian about dressing with intention, learning to embrace what once made her different, and why sometimes the most powerful thing a woman can wear is simply her own happiness.

HBZVN: Yillian, you’re an actress, a model, an athlete, and an artist. Which of these gives you the greatest opportunity to express who you truly are?

YILLIAN MARIE ATKINSON: I honestly feel like I express myself through all of them. My artwork is unconventional and reflects the way my mind works and the thoughts I don’t always put into words. Acting and modeling allow me to explore different sides of my personality and bring different characters and emotions to life. Sports bring out my competitive spirit. They get my blood pumping and remind me how much I love challenging myself. If I had to choose, I’d say I don’t want to be just one thing. I want to be a hybrid of all of them because together they make me who I am.

HBZVN: What’s something that most people don’t know about you?

YILLIAN MARIE ATKINSON: Growing up, I was the awkward kid. I had a unibrow and didn’t fit the traditional idea of beauty, so I often felt like the “weird, ugly girl.” Looking back, I think that’s why I developed such a bright, outgoing personality. It became my greatest strength. Today, I love surprising people, not just with my appearance but with my perspective. I enjoy sharing my thoughts and showing people there’s always more beneath the surface.

HBZVN: In these photographs, you move from sharply tailored suits to relaxed beachwear, yet you seem equally confident in both. What does “confidence dressing” mean to you?

YILLIAN MARIE ATKINSON: For me, confidence dressing isn’t about wearing something powerful because you want other people to see you that way. It’s about choosing clothes that make you feel completely yourself. Some days that might be a structured suit with strong shoulders; other days it’s something simple and effortless. When I feel comfortable in what I’m wearing, I stop thinking about the clothes. That’s when my personality can really come through.

HBZVN: You smile a lot in this story, which is refreshing because fashion often associates confidence with looking serious. Do you think smiling can be a form of confidence too?

YILLIAN MARIE ATKINSON: Absolutely. I think there’s strength in allowing yourself to show joy. For a long time, confidence was presented as being serious, controlled, almost untouchable. That isn’t really me. I laugh a lot, I smile a lot, and I like connecting with people. I don’t think warmth makes a woman less powerful. If anything, being comfortable enough to show happiness without worrying about how you’re perceived is its own kind of confidence.

HBZVN: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your life?

YILLIAN MARIE ATKINSON: Without a doubt, my mother. She survived Guillain-Barré syndrome, yet she never let it define her. Watching her continue to be an incredible mother despite everything she faced taught me what true resilience looks like. She’s the perfect example of someone who refuses to accept “no” as an answer, and that fighting spirit is something I’ve carried with me throughout my own life.

HBZVN: If you could spend an entire day anywhere in the world, where would you go? Where do you feel most at peace?

YILLIAN MARIE ATKINSON: Somewhere tropical, ideally Puerto Rico. It’s home, and I feel deeply connected to my roots there. Being surrounded by my family, the ocean, the warmth of the island, and the culture gives me a sense of peace that I can’t find anywhere else.

HBZVN: What truly makes you happy? What helps you unwind after a busy day? And what always brings a smile to your face?

YILLIAN MARIE ATKINSON: It might sound simple, but water makes me happy. Taking a shower after a long day instantly resets me. Whether it’s the ocean, a river, or even watching the rain drop in that small puddle contaminated with oil in the streets of NYC, I’ve always felt drawn to water. It calms me, clears my mind, and makes me feel at home. There’s something about it that brings me peace no matter where I am.

Model: Yillian Marie Atkinson @thisisnotyillian
Producer: @realnebo
MA: @ikonmodelmanagement
Agency: @wilhelminamodels
Photographer: @benamarephoto
PR: @say__media

Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam