Giulia Valentina interview

If there’s one thing Giulia Valentina - who needs no introduction - shares with the editorial team at nss G-Club, it’s a passion for books. That’s why, for our Faces feature with her, we chose a setting that smells of paper, one that welcomes us in large rooms bathed in light from ancient windows. We’re at the Circolo Filologico Milanese, where we spend a few hours together over coffee - between photoshoots, outfit changes, and, naturally, a few books - in a relaxed, suspended atmosphere despite all the work to do, especially since Giulia is eight months pregnant. The first thing that stands out when chatting with her - over lunch even before our interview - is that you’re talking to someone who’s thoughtful, someone who asks questions. This is confirmed when I ask her to tell me a bit about her work and beginnings, with a focus on the challenges she faced along the way. “I started while I was studying economics at the Università Cattolica,” she begins. “I remember that while I was writing my thesis, I had to pause Instagram because it was growing, and it took up a lot of my time. After graduating, I reopened it and continued to communicate organically and spontaneously. Little by little, I grew and realized it would become my job." A job that’s definitely “full of privileges,” she says, without beating around the bush, with the ease of someone stating a simple truth, as if it’s the most obvious thing in the world - without the endless, exhausting debate around the word ‘privilege.’

What are these privileges? “You don’t have a boss, you have full control over what you do, the relationship you build with your audience, your communication,” she replies. “For a girl, I think it’s empowering. I found it empowering also because I have a female audience, so I’m mostly speaking to women. There are far more complicated jobs for women. Are you kidding? In this case, you hold the power, even with your clients. People rarely talk about the relationship with clients or companies. In this relationship, you don’t answer to anyone except your creativity and your audience. Not bad at all.” Speaking of creativity, it’s in this direction that Giulia wants to grow, focusing on the aspect she wants to continue developing: “I’d like to work on creative projects for companies, even behind the scenes. Separate from the collaborations I normally do.”

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The first thing that stands out when chatting with her - over lunch even before our interview - is that you’re talking to someone who’s thoughtful, someone who asks questions. This is confirmed when I ask her to tell me a bit about her work and beginnings, with a focus on the challenges she faced along the way. “I started while I was studying economics at the Università Cattolica,” she begins. “I remember that while I was writing my thesis, I had to pause Instagram because it was growing, and it took up a lot of my time. After graduating, I reopened it and continued to communicate organically and spontaneously. Little by little, I grew and realized it would become my job." A job that’s definitely “full of privileges,” she says, without beating around the bush, with the ease of someone stating a simple truth, as if it’s the most obvious thing in the world - without the endless, exhausting debate around the word ‘privilege.’

What are these privileges? “You don’t have a boss, you have full control over what you do, the relationship you build with your audience, your communication,” she replies. “For a girl, I think it’s empowering. I found it empowering also because I have a female audience, so I’m mostly speaking to women. There are far more complicated jobs for women. Are you kidding? In this case, you hold the power, even with your clients. People rarely talk about the relationship with clients or companies. In this relationship, you don’t answer to anyone except your creativity and your audience. Not bad at all.” Speaking of creativity, it’s in this direction that Giulia wants to grow, focusing on the aspect she wants to continue developing: “I’d like to work on creative projects for companies, even behind the scenes. Separate from the collaborations I normally do.”

“I make a lot of mistakes, but it's great to learn, even on Instagram. My community always corrects me, forgives me, and gives me the chance to move forward”

When asked if she feels a sense of responsibility when speaking to such a large and trusting audience, Giulia touches again on the theme of awareness: “When I speak on Instagram, I’m aware that I’m talking to an audience. Just like when I talk to my mom or to someone I’ve just met - I do it differently. I adapt to them, keeping in mind that it’s an audience. There’s a lot of misinformation out there, and I feel a strong sense of responsibility about that. I’m careful not to say things that may seem harmless but could actually be harmful. Even when it comes to word choice. When you misuse a word, there’s often a much bigger concept behind it. For example, when someone says, ‘My husband helps with the housework,’ the word ‘helps’ implies that the woman is the one responsible for it, not the man. People might not realize it, it’s just a habit, but it reinforces a concept that doesn’t advance women’s condition. I make a lot of mistakes too, but it’s great to learn, even on Instagram. My community always corrects me, forgives me, and gives me the chance to move forward.”

Then we talk about books. When it comes to making categorical statements - like asking her which book everyone should read - she, like any true book lover, romantic in the historic sense of the term, refuses to give a definitive answer: “It’s impossible to say, because reading is like taking a journey. It depends. Some people get lost and fall in love with a city, while others need to be surrounded by nature. Books are journeys; you can’t pick one book for everyone. You should definitely aim for quality, though, that’s for sure. For example, I’m drawn to books that talk about inner turmoil, an internal enemy, maybe because I’m my own worst enemy, so I relate. Others might prefer books that talk about light-heartedness. Lucky them.”

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Among the books she enjoys, there aren’t any that focus on pregnancy - not in the traditional sense, at least. “I’m more attracted to novels, stories that let me escape. Practical advice books bore me. I want to go on a journey, even if it’s just emotionally,” she explains. Her approach to books related to the period she’s living through is different: “I read The Only Daughter by Guadalupe Nettel, which is a dramatic book. Maybe not the best fit. But my tastes don’t change just because I’m pregnant. Another book that delves into relationships is Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo. I found it interesting. Mothers, grandmothers, daughters, teachers. There are 12 female protagonists, and we see their perspectives. They come from different places, different economic situations, and they’re of different ages. It’s an important time to start considering someone else’s perspective.”

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Mothers, both online and offline, are bombarded with opinions, criticism, attacks, judgments, and pressures. Giulia doesn’t feel this in her personal life (which she considers herself very lucky for), and she has no intention of talking about it on social media. “I never thought I’d introduce this topic into my work as a content creator. I wouldn’t bring my child into the office, so why would I bring them onto Instagram? It’s just not an issue for me, it would feel strange to talk about it. To me, content should be interesting, entertaining. These are personal things. I don’t feel the need to share them, nor do I want feedback.” She clarifies, without judgment: “Some women have a lot to say about motherhood, and there are mothers who want to see other people’s experiences, their struggles, to normalize certain things. But I’m not the right person for that. I’m not used to operating that way. When I post something, I ask myself why I’m posting it. Is it interesting? Funny? Curious? What am I offering the audience? If it’s just something personal, I don’t share it. There has to be a reason.” Once again, Giulia returns to the idea of privilege, emphasizing that she wouldn’t want another mother to feel lesser because of her personal experience - she doesn’t want to create comparisons. And honestly, we can only admire this level of self-reflection.

In closing, a piece of advice for those who want to pursue content creation: “The community is super important, but sometimes it can have too much influence, pushing you to prioritize their preferences over your own creativity. The response is immediate. Maybe you try something, but it doesn't work out, so you change it. Instead, you should give your creativity a chance, and maybe the community will adapt to it.”