Nicole Simeone is an Italian model and digital content creator from Naples, whose creative journey began unexpectedly — while studying dentistry in Madrid. Today she works at the intersection of fashion, beauty and lifestyle, having collaborated with brands including Fashion Nova, Bio Dance, Gisou, Honey Birdette and Wiskii Active. Her story is one of personal style, creative entrepreneurship and building genuine brand partnerships in the digital space. She was recently named among the Top 10 Women in Digital Leadership at an award ceremony in Dubai — and today, she’s sharing more about her journey with us.
Nicole, you started your creative path while studying dentistry in Madrid — what sparked the shift from that world into fashion and content creation?
I’ve always been passionate about modelling, and I’ve always enjoyed sharing my lifestyle with friends — what I’m wearing, places I discover, and little moments from my day. While studying dentistry in Madrid, I began putting more creativity into how I captured those experiences, experimenting with styling, photography, and being in front of the camera.
What started as something personal gradually reached a wider audience, and I realised I wanted to explore that passion professionally. My studies taught me discipline and attention to detail, which I still bring to every project. Fashion and content creation gave me the opportunity to develop something I had always loved into a career.
How does your approach to visual storytelling take shape — where do you draw inspiration for the imagery you create?
My inspiration comes from my love of modelling, fashion, and sharing my lifestyle. An outfit I feel confident in, a place I discover, or a moment with friends can spark an idea. I think about how to capture what drew me to that experience and share that feeling through an image.
Being based between Italy, Spain, and Germany gives me different surroundings to draw inspiration from, while my Italian roots remain a strong influence on my style.
Working with my photographer, Francesco Norcia, helps me develop those ideas. We discuss the mood, styling, and location, then explore light, composition, and movement together. I bring my personality and expression to the camera, and I value his photographic perspective. I want the finished images to feel thoughtfully created while still feeling like me.
You’ve worked with a wide range of brands, from Fashion Nova to Honey Birdette. How do you choose partnerships that feel true to your personal identity?
I ask myself whether the product feels natural to my style and whether I have a creative idea that genuinely interests me. Different brands allow me to explore different aspects of my personality, but I want my audience to recognise my taste throughout.
I also pay attention to how a brand approaches collaboration. I value teams that listen, communicate clearly, and respect what I bring creatively. Before accepting a project, I want to understand the expectations and feel comfortable with what I’ll be representing.
My manager, Mason Avakian, helps me assess the brief and the preparation it requires so that I can make an informed decision. Ultimately, I want to choose partnerships where I can contribute thoughtfully and feel proud of the finished work.
Nicole, tell us about your experience building brand partnerships in the digital world—what makes a collaboration truly successful, in your view?
A successful collaboration starts with a clear creative idea and careful preparation. The brand needs to communicate its objectives, and I need to understand how to interpret them in a way that feels convincing on camera and relevant to my audience.
My manager and campaign director, Mason Avakian, has managed my collaborations with Honey Birdette, Avidlove, and WISKII Active. He plans campaigns and coordinates the preparation around my participation, including reviewing briefs with me, organising schedules and deliverables, and managing communication and feedback with the brand teams. That work helps turn an initial concept into a shoot that everyone understands and is prepared to deliver.
You’ve received recognition for digital leadership in Dubai—what does that recognition mean to you, personally and professionally?
Personally, it encourages me to pause and appreciate how far I’ve come. When you’re constantly preparing for the next project, you can forget the learning, uncertainty, and effort that brought you to this point.
Professionally, it feels meaningful to have the thinking behind creative work recognised. Building a digital career involves judgement, consistency, and responsibility, alongside the images people see. It motivates me to keep developing those qualities and to be thoughtful about how I use my platform.
I also feel grateful to the people who contribute to my work. Having collaborators who take the process seriously encourages me to keep raising my own standards. I hope my journey gives other women confidence to explore their interests, even when that means moving beyond the path they originally imagined.
Where do you see the next chapter of your career heading—is there a direction you’re eager to explore further, whether in fashion, beauty, entrepreneurship, or something entirely new?
I’m particularly interested in fashion and beauty films that give me room to explore character, movement, and emotion. I want to develop further as a model while taking greater responsibility for the ideas behind my work. Entrepreneurship also interests me, but I would want to build something with a clear purpose and give it the preparation it deserves.
I’m excited to continue developing my visual work with Francesco Norcia and to explore how our photographic collaboration can evolve. Alongside that creative development, Mason Avakian helps plan campaigns and organise the preparation needed to bring new projects together. Having an established working relationship means we can build on what we’ve learned about my process while making room for new challenges.
My ambition is to create work with a recognisable identity, collaborate with people who inspire me, and keep growing without losing the curiosity that made me start.
CREDITS:
Model:Nicole Simeone @nicolesimeonex Photographer: Francesco Norcia
Manager & Campaign Director: Mason Avakian
