We had the good fortune of connecting with Martina Negro and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Martina, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My thought process when deciding to do social media as a business was driven by the desire to fuse my love for fashion, lifestyle, and travel with creativity, leveraging digital platforms to connect with a global audience. I never knew what I wanted to do when I got older, but I always knew I wanted to work for myself. The pandemic presented an opportunity for me to start doing social media. I saw social media as a powerful tool to stay connected, inspire others, and cultivate a sense of community. I decided to share my passion for fashion that I got from my grandmother that lives in Milan. I visit her every summer and she always served as a constant source of inspiration and motivation. Her impeccable taste instilled a deep appreciation for fashion and elegance, fueling my desire to carve out my own space in the industry.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My professional journey took off when I partnered with Levi’s, marking my first long-term collaboration. Working with Levi’s was a dream come true; they provided me with the freedom to express myself creatively and share my favorite outfits in a way that felt genuine and true to my style. This partnership laid the foundation for future collaborations with renowned brands such as Valentino Beauty, Armani Beauty, Prada Beauty, Armani Exchange, Gap, Marc Jacobs, YSL Beauty, Revolve, Etam, and many more. Another proud moment I had was attending Paris Fashion Week for the first time in 2023. Looking at where I started to then celebrating new collections and launches with Jimmy Choo, Maje, YSL Beauty, and Christian Louboutin Beauty in Paris was a dream come true in one of my favorite cities. I am incredibly proud of the relationships I’ve built with these iconic brands and the opportunities to showcase their amazing products. Each collaboration has allowed me to explore different facets of my style and share that journey with my community. One of the most exciting aspects of my work is the continuous growth of my community and the ability to inspire others through my outfits and content on social media. My path to where I am today wasn’t always easy. Balancing school with the demands of social media, including filming, editing, and consistently putting myself out there, was a significant challenge, especially as an introvert. However, these challenges taught me valuable lessons to always be myself and stay true to my personal style. Authenticity resonates deeply with my audience and helps builds genuine connections. I learned the importance of kindness and empathy. Everyone has their own story, and showing compassion and understanding goes a long way in building a supportive community. My brand is all about celebrating individuality, creativity, and authenticity. I want the world to know that fashion is more than just clothing—it’s a form of self-expression and a way to connect with others. By staying true to myself and my Italian roots, I aim to inspire others to do the same and to find their unique voice in the world of fashion.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I was born and raised in Miami so after all these years I have found all those great gems around the city. If my best friend were visiting for a week I would definitely throw in a couple of beach days at my favorite – Haulover Beach. I would also take her shopping at Bal Harbor Shops and Miami Design District after a lunch stop at Pura Vida. A must!! For a happy hour drink on the beach the Four Seasons Lido Champagne Bar in Surfside is iconic. I also loved biking along the Miami Beach boardwalk and taking a drive down to Coconut Grove for their Farmer’s Market on Saturdays. Some of my favorite restaurants lately have been MILA, Mandolin Aegean Bistro, Sushi Bichi, Portovino for the best Italian food and Ricky Thai for the best Thai food in Miami.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My journey into social media was shaped by the unwavering support and encouragement of my close friends and family. From my boyfriend’s belief in my vision to my parents’ guidance, their collective support has been instrumental. Their belief in me, along with the encouragement from my online community, has instilled within me the confidence to pursue my dreams and keep pushing towards my goals.
Instagram: @martina.chicki
Other: TikTok: @martina.chicki
Image Credits
1 is from World Red Eye (logo in on bottom of picture) by photographer Alejandro Chavarria.
Nominate Someone: ShoutoutMiami is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
