On social media, many people have learned how to dress, pose, and present themselves in order to appear interesting. For Giovanna Veríssimo, that is precisely where the problem begins.
With over 20 years of experience in the fashion industry, she says that one’s image works best when it doesn’t feel forced. A model, influencer, and mentor, Giovanna started her career as a child, working on campaigns, pageants, and editorials, as well as gaining experience abroad.
Along the way, she held the titles of Miss Goiânia 2016, Miss Goiás 2018, and Miss Be Emotion 2018. Today, in addition to her modeling work, she uses her experience to guide women who want to improve how they present themselves—without simply copying a pre-packaged aesthetic.
“There are so many women trying to fit into an image that has nothing to do with their actual lives. Sometimes the outfit is beautiful and the photo is perfect, but something feels missing. Authenticity is missing,” she states.
With around 250,000 social media followers, Giovanna talks about fashion, behavior, and style, yet she often notes that clothing is only part of the conversation. In her view, many women make the mistake of focusing on the outfit before understanding the stage of life they are currently in.
Through her mentorship programs, Giovanna encounters women who have packed wardrobes and countless style references saved on their phones, yet still feel insecure when dressing for a meeting, an event, a video shoot, or even just showing up more frequently on social media.
“Sometimes a person has too much information and too little clarity. She knows what’s trending and what others are wearing, but she doesn’t know what actually suits her routine, her body, her current life phase, and her goals,” she explains.
It was this realization that led Giovanna to develop mentorships and training programs focused on personal image. Her approach isn’t about telling women what they should or shouldn’t wear, nor is it about creating a formula for elegance. According to her, the work begins before the clothes even come into play. For Giovanna, personal image is more about coherence than a perfect appearance. It is about understanding how a woman wants to be seen, while also respecting who she already is.
“It’s not about looking rich, perfect, or unattainable. I think that’s a common mistake. An image needs to make sense within a woman’s real life,” she says.
This discussion has gained momentum with the rise of social media. Today, how a person presents themselves online can influence invitations, connections, professional opportunities, and even how they are perceived by the market.
Even so, Giovanna believes that a digital presence doesn’t have to turn into a persona. She feels the audience can tell when there is exaggeration, imitation, or an attempt to project an image that doesn’t hold up off-screen.
With plans for international expansion, Giovanna is preparing for a new phase in her career. The goal is to bring her mentorship and training programs to new audiences while maintaining a close dialogue about fashion, image, and presence.
After so many years in the industry, she sums it up simply: image works best when it feels natural—not when it’s constantly trying to prove something.
(Photo: Personal Archive)
