RIA MICHELLE
Ria Michelle is a highly regarded Miami-based fashion, lifestyle, and travel blogger. She collaborates with brands under many hats as a model, stylist, content creator, and ambassador. Described as “The authority on Miami fashion” by GUESS, Ria sets her focus on delivering high-quality content. Ria counts brands like Revolve Clothing, Bacardi, Teen Vogue, Kia, and Wildfox Couture, amongst her list of clients. She has been featured in prestigious publications such as Elle Magazine, Marie Claire, Seventeen and more.
I met Ria in early 2017 here in Miami in hopes of connecting with someone who shared similar interests as me. Since then, she has been extremely supportive in helping me grow as a blogger and we've become great friends! Ria is an amazing example of Black Girl magic in the social media space. She aims to inspire by documenting her journey as it comes and captivating audiences all over the world. Check out her interview below to learn more about her story and get inspired!
1. Describe your personal brand in 1 word
Undefinable, I hate to be put in a box or labeled to be honest.
2. What made you take the leap into blogging? Give us a little background on where you started and why.
I’ve always been a fan of oversharing on the internet. Back when people had livejournals, diarylands, xangas and coded entire domains using notepad. Once I grew out of that and then eventually discovered fashion blogging and thought it seemed like something that would reinvigorate my dormant internet addiction. I’ve been here ever since.
3. How long have you lived in Miami and what is your favorite thing about the city?
I’ve been in Miami for about 6 years and my favorite thing about the city is watching it grow. I always call Miami the little city that could, it’s almost a major city but not quite. Since I’ve been here there’s been so much change to the infrastructure, culture and events that come through here.
4. What are the biggest hurdles to building your own brand and how are you getting through them?
The biggest hurdle is always getting people to see the value in your product. Whether that be acknowledging/valuing the work that you’re putting in, or meeting your rates etc. Also fighting for representation is still an ongoing battle. Seeing entire events/campaigns go on with no one darker than a paper bag present.
5. What would you say was the biggest factor that helped you grow your social media following? How do you maintain a consistent audience?
Aside from being fairly early to the platforms, I’d say interacting and engaging with others both online and off. Going to events, being consistent with my content.
6. How picky do you tend to be with the companies you choose to work with?
I’m pretty selective with the brands I choose to align with. I don’t want to dilute my brand working with anyone and everyone. Sometimes I even pass on brands I love if the terms aren’t favorable or fair.
7. Which one has been your favorite and why?
I don’t think it's possible to say definitively this has been my favorite, there’s so many amazing opportunities I’ve had with brands from travel to video work just really cool stuff.
8. How often do you collaborate with other influencers and what has been your favorite project so far?
I don’t collaborate with other influencers in an official capacity very often but I’ve had a few opportunities and then stuff I’ve done on my own. Puma let me gift a few of my friends shoes from their womens collections for a few months. I’ve also filmed a video promo for Bebe in the meatpacking district of NYC with a few other bloggers.
9. Are there any other social media stars you admire or look up to and why?
Social media has gotten so noisy for me that I feel like I more focus on content that makes me laugh or delivers information to me. That’s why I love Twitter. I love seeing people like Desus & Mero go from cracking jokes on Twitter to a daily late night talk show on Viceland. I love underdog wins like that. It’s why everyone loves Cardi B so much.
10. What has been the most rewarding part of your self-branding journey and why?
I’ve pushed myself to do so many things I didn’t think I could do. I once said in a Levi’s promo video, if you’re not scared you’re not challenging yourself.
11. Do you have any short/long term goals that you plan to achieve with your brand?
I’ve learned that it’s best for me not to announce my goals to anyone but me. Maybe it’s superstitious but things just seem to work out better that way.
