In the rapidly evolving landscape where digital culture intersects with high fashion, few figures navigate the terrain with as much distinct energy as Giovanna “Gio” Ramos. At just 26 years old, the Brazilian-born model and social media powerhouse has cultivated an audience of over one million followers. Her influence stretches far beyond metrics; Ramos moves effortlessly through cultural capitals—from PAPER magazine photoshoots in New York City to red carpets in Los Angeles and livestreams in Atlanta. She maintains a close orbit with some of the most influential names in contemporary music and culture, including Drake, Latto, Lil Yachty, and Mariah the Scientist.
Yet, Ramos is far more than an internet personality rubbing shoulders with the elite. She is an artistic force carving out a definitive space in the fashion zeitgeist. Her signature aesthetic—punctuated by striking silver grills, a penchant for maximalist jewelry layered over clean streetwear, and her fearless approach to personal style—embodies the "it-girl" aura of the modern era.
This distinct presence has culminated in a high-profile partnership with global sportswear giant adidas. The collaboration celebrates the official re-release of the iconic adidas Adistar XLG 2.0, a chunky, unapologetic sneaker that bridges old-school nostalgia with modern street sensibilities. In an exclusive interview with PAPER, Ramos sat down to discuss the realities of building a career on social media, the evolution of her personal style across America’s distinct fashion hubs, and what it means to finally take up space in an industry that often demands conformity from newcomers.
Detailed Chronology
From Brazil to the Global Stage: The Rise of Gio Ramos
Giovanna Ramos’s journey to becoming a prominent fixture in fashion and digital media is a narrative defined by cultural adaptation and intuitive risk-taking. More than a decade ago, Ramos made a life-altering move, relocating from her native Brazil to the United States. Thrust into a new environment, she had to navigate a foreign culture while discovering her own identity.
Long before she walked red carpets or fronted campaigns for legacy brands, Ramos’s entry into content creation began out of simple curiosity and boredom.
"It started off from just being bored in a way," Ramos shares. "Just posting things that I thought were cool, and then I realized certain things that I did post made people want to see more. So I just started going towards that side and then trying new things out until eventually I found a lane that I liked and I just kept doing it until it worked out."
That organic approach resonated with audiences. Over the past few years, her follower count surged past the one-million mark. As her platform expanded, so did her proximity to the upper echelons of urban culture. But rather than getting swept up in the whirlwind of celebrity adjacency, Ramos used her platform to refine her unique perspective on art and style.
Reflecting on her rapid ascent and the younger self who navigated the trials of digital exposure, Ramos expresses profound gratitude:
"I’m thankful for my younger self. I feel like a lot of the mistakes that I made got me where I’m at right now. So I feel like without her, I wouldn’t be here right now."
Supporting Context & Metrics
The Bicoastal Lens: Fashion Across New York, Atlanta, and Los Angeles
Lately, Ramos’s life is defined by a rigorous bicoastal and multi-city schedule, splitting her time between New York, Los Angeles, and Atlanta. This constant movement has given her a unique vantage point on regional American fashion and how distinct subcultures interpret self-expression.
When asked about the stylistic differences across these creative hubs, Ramos notes a fascinating duality:
"It’s a huge difference, but it’s also not at the same time. All these states somehow are connected whether it is old school style like in Texas [where] everybody wears gold and grills. Same thing in Atlanta. Everybody got grills. It’s part of their outfits, part of their culture. In Miami, everybody got permanent, actual gold teeth. Every state is connected in some way. They all just express their art in a different way."
This deep appreciation for regional street culture heavily influences her day-to-day wardrobe. Whether she is curating an outfit for the sweltering summer months or styling a high-fashion look on set, her footwear remains a constant anchor. Asked what she wears on her feet to stay grounded during her relentless travels, Ramos’s answer is simple: "Of course, I’m wearing adidas XLG. You know, got to stay comfortable. Got to stay grounded."
Maximalism vs. Minimalism: The Art of Experimentation
In an era where TikTok and Instagram are flooded with influencers dispensing rigid style formulas and "aesthetic" rules, Ramos offers a refreshingly chaotic truth about discovering one’s personal style: trial and error.
"The crazy part is, I never have advice for these people," she admits. "I just usually tell them that in order for you to find out your style, you will have to try 300 times before you find it. I can’t tell you how to dress. I can give you places to go shop at, but I can’t tell you how to dress because certain things that look good on me aren’t things that will look good on you."
This philosophy extends to her own wardrobe, which vacillates between controlled minimalism and unbridled maximalism depending entirely on her emotional state.
"It really depends on my mood," Ramos explains. "I’ve been on some minimalistic vibe, but normally, I’m wearing five different gold chains. I’m wearing five bracelets on one side, five on the other side. My fingers, every finger got a ring on. I’m always maximalizing, but I try to keep a balance between my outfit. So, if I have a lot of accessories on, I usually go for a basic outfit. But sometimes I just feel like being classy and very clean or very chic. Or I feel like going full weird full-blown streetwear."
She emphasizes that making fashion mistakes is a mandatory rite of passage. Comparing style development to culinary exploration, she notes: "I’ve had outfits that are like, ‘What the hell am I wearing?’. But I had to try it in order for me to figure out, ‘Okay, I don’t really like how this looks on me.’ It’s like food. You would never know what you like unless you try it out."
Official Statements
The Anatomy of a Legacy Partnership: Gio Ramos and adidas
The centerpiece of Ramos’s current cultural footprint is her collaboration with adidas for the relaunch of the Adistar XLG 2.0. Known for its chunky silhouette, substantial weight, and refusal to blend into the background, the sneaker is a physical manifestation of taking up space. For Ramos, the design philosophy of the shoe mirrors her own personal growth within the fashion industry.
"Definitely something that I had to grow into," Ramos reflects when asked if the energy of taking up space feels natural. "When you’re new in the industry or start a new job you can feel small because you’re trying to understand things happening around you. You’re trying to navigate and fit in and absorb as much information as you can until you get to a point where it’s like, ‘Okay, cool. I’m good at this.’ And you start taking up space. You start being more comfortable with what you’re doing. And I feel like that’s where the energy comes from."
For a legacy brand like adidas—which has anchored street culture across cities and suburban towns for over seven decades—finding collaborators who embody this authentic confidence is paramount. For Ramos, the partnership works precisely because the brand values her creative autonomy.
"My favorite part about working with adidas is that they let me be myself creatively," Ramos tells PAPER. "They don’t put a specific rule on me. They don’t want me to be a specific person. They like me for who I am and they want me to bring whatever I have to offer to the table so that we could always work together."
She highlights that this inclusion extends directly to the production floor and campaign sets:
"I like always being in touch with what I’m doing. I like being able to voice things and being able to be part of it. adidas is always making sure that I like things and that I feel comfortable. Do I like this outfit? Do I not like these pictures? I like being part of it. I like that adidas is always making sure I feel included. That’s a huge thing for me at all times, and they always make sure I’m comfortable on set."
Future Outlook
Shaping the Future of Streetwear and Digital Culture
As Gio Ramos continues to expand her footprint across digital platforms, high-fashion editorials, and major brand partnerships, her trajectory signals a shift in how modern icons are built. The era of the untouchable, hyper-curated model is giving way to creators who champion radical authenticity, trial-and-error vulnerability, and cultural synthesis.
With the successful rollout of the adidas Adistar XLG 2.0 campaign—brought to life through a meticulous collaborative effort between PAPER and adidas executives—Ramos has solidified her status as a bridge between foundational streetwear heritage and the unwritten future of fashion. Backed by a powerhouse creative team, including Chief Creative Officer Brian Calle, President Jason Ve, Executive Creative Director Jordan Bradfield, VP of Brand Partnerships Jamie Granoff, Fashion Director Angelina Cantú, and Executive Producer Aya Sloan, the campaign stands as a masterclass in modern brand storytelling.
Looking ahead, Ramos’s refusal to shrink herself—paired with her unwavering commitment to creative freedom—ensures that she will remain a defining voice in style. Whether she is stepping onto a set in New York, coordinating looks in Los Angeles, or dropping gems on social media, Gio Ramos is a testament to the power of showing up, trying everything, and never apologizing for taking up space.
Production Credits & Campaign Details
- Story Collaboration: PAPER x adidas
- Chief Creative Officer: Brian Calle
- President: Jason Ve
- Executive Creative Director: Jordan Bradfield
- VP of Brand Partnerships: Jamie Granoff
- Fashion Director: Angelina Cantú
- Executive Producer: Aya Sloan
- Senior Editor: Joan Summers
- Senior Creative Strategist: Aires Amor
- Photography: Danica Robinson
- Story By: Monique Wilson
- Styling: Dot Bass
- Hair and Makeup Artist: Jeannette Williams
- Set Designer: Kelsey Walsh
- Lighting: Richard Saralertsophon
- Digital Technician: Jaison Lin
- Photo Assistant: Luke Rogers
- Set Assistant: Jess McIntire
- Production Assistant: Emnet Simunyola
- Styling Assistants: Kyle Gleason, Dominic Turiczek, Castle Garland
- Location: Splashlight Studios
- Graphic Design: Composite Co
