SUCCESS STORY

From Sicily to Beverly Hills: The Artistic Journey of

Davide Micciulla

By Guillaume Jean Lefebvre

Davide Micciulla, an Italian native hailing from the historic city of Siracusa in Sicily, has carved a remarkable path in the world of art and fashion. His journey is a testament to the transformative power of passion, hard work, and an unyielding belief in one's dreams.

Growing up surrounded by the rich cultural tapestry of southern Italy, Davide was immersed in the beauty of Greek art, ancient landmarks, and vibrant churches. His childhood experiences also exposed him to the complexities of Sicilian life, from the delicious cuisine to the importance of family bonds and the captivating embrace of nature.

Davide's journey into the realm of photography began under the influence of his father, who shared a love for capturing moments through the lens. What started as a desire for aesthetically pleasing self-portraits evolved into a profound exploration of perspectives and a commitment to creating visual narratives for others.

His early professional experiences as an assistant to a fashion photographer paved the way for a significant breakthrough when he was scouted by an editor at ELLE Magazine. This marked the beginning of a career that would see Davide working with renowned fashion brands, creating campaigns for global giants like H&M, and eventually making the move to Los Angeles to delve into the world of celebrity videography.

Academically, Davide pursued his passion for the arts by studying Art Direction at NABA in Milan after leaving his hometown at the age of 18. The pivotal moments in his career include the launch with ELLE Magazine, where he established connections with high-fashion brands, and the realization of a campaign for H&M. However, the move to LA to collaborate with celebrities on video projects stands out as a defining milestone.

Davide's approach to his work is characterized by an unwavering positivity, always aiming to showcase the beauty in every aspect of life. His dedication and talent have been recognized by the British Fashion Council, which nominated him as one of the top 100 new artists—an accolade both amazing and unexpected.

Balancing professional and personal life has proven challenging for Davide, acknowledging that it's often one interconnected journey rather than a clear separation. Looking to the future, his aspirations include securing major campaigns, collaborating with A-list celebrities, and, notably, realizing a movie concept he already envisions.

In the eyes of others, Davide Micciulla hopes to be perceived as someone who, despite hailing from a small town in Sicily, relentlessly pursued his dreams, worked diligently, and now resides in the glamorous realm of Beverly Hills—an inspiring testament to the possibilities that unfold when passion meets hard work.

BIOGRAPHY

1. Can you elaborate on the specific cultural influences from southern Italy, particularly Sicily, that shaped your early years and continue to inspire your work today?

Growing up in Sicily, most specifically in Siracusa, has deeply influenced my cultural perspective and artistic vision. Siracusa's historical significance as a crossroads of civilizations—Greek, Roman, Byzantine—its landscape of art and history. Every corner tells a story of cultural exchange, from ancient Greek temples to Roman amphitheaters. The vibrant colors, sounds, and traditions of Sicilian life inspire my work as an artist, infusing it with the richness of our shared heritage. Siracusa isn't just my hometown; it's a source of endless inspiration, fueling my creativity and storytelling, and now that I live far away, I can understand it more.

2. From initially capturing personal moments to working as an assistant for a fashion photographer, can you share how your journey in photography evolved, leading to your recognition by ELLE Magazine?

My journey in photography took an unexpected turn from capturing personal moments for fun to assisting a fashion photographer I met through social connections in Milan. I never wanted to work in Fashion; I didn’t know anything about it. But during a job in Portofino, an editor from ELLE Magazine noticed my work, and after a couple of days, he arranged a meeting. I’m not sure what exactly he saw, but he believed in my talent. So after a couple of weeks, I started to create for ELLE Magazine. Till now, I have an amazing relationship with Luca Lanzoni; he will always be my mentor.

3. Leaving your hometown at 18 to study Art Direction in Milan must have been a significant transition. How did your academic background contribute to your creative process and the direction your career eventually took?

Leaving my hometown at 18 to study Art Direction in Milan was indeed a significant step. Fortunately, I was lucky to have my cousin living in Milan for years, so I didn't feel alone; I had a piece of home with me. It was undoubtedly a challenging experience as everything was new to me, but it truly changed me. I grew a lot and found the creativity that I didn't have before. My academic background contributed to my creative process by exposing me to new ideas, perspectives, and challenges. That is where I learned Video Editing, ultimately shaping the direction my career took.

Director: Davide Micciulla
Photographer: David Siluan
Stylist: Jieun Kim
Mua: Graciela Palavacini

4. Reflecting on your professional journey, could you pinpoint a few key moments that stand out? Whether it's launching with ELLE Magazine or creating a campaign for H&M, what experiences have left a lasting impact on your career?

Certainly, ELLE Magazine was definitely the beginning of everything for me as it provided me with the opportunity to work with big fashion brands. Some key moments that stand out include video campaigns that were broadcast on national TV, which significantly boosted my visibility and credibility in the industry. Additionally, working with Booking.com allowed me to travel extensively and ultimately led me to where I am now, in Los Angeles.

5. Moving to Los Angeles marked a new chapter, particularly in the realm of celebrity videography. How did this transition influence your artistic approach, and what were the challenges and triumphs of working with high-profile personalities?

Moving to Los Angeles marked a significant shift in my career, especially filming celebrities. Working in a city where many of the stars I used to watch on TV reside was surreal. Collaborating with Celebs like Megan Fox, Demi Moore, and Ed Westwick was truly surprising and inspiring. Now, that I’m friends with some of these actors and celebrities. It's not something I boast about; for me, it's like working with a stranger on the street. Building these relationships has been both a challenge and a triumph, shaping my artistic approach and broadening my perspective on storytelling and human connection in the realm of celebrity videography.

6. Being nominated by the British Fashion Council as a top 100 new artist is a remarkable achievement. How did this recognition influence your perspective on your work, and did it open new doors in the industry?

Being nominated by the British Fashion Council as a top 100 new artist was incredibly unexpected for me. I didn't even know what it was. Then, one day, I received a message from a friend in the fashion industry saying I had been nominated. From there, it was a realization that truly touched me. It was a beautiful experience, and I know it's not something everyone gets to experience. It influenced my perspective on my work and opened new doors in the industry.

7. You mentioned being a positive person who strives to showcase the beautiful side of everything. How does this philosophy manifest in your creative process, and how do you navigate capturing beauty in diverse subjects and scenarios?

For me, it comes naturally. I'm not sure why, but I always strive to see the best in everything; even the most insignificant things can be beautiful. It's something I've always done spontaneously. Later on, clients started telling me that their products looked even better in my representations, even the photos I post, perhaps capturing an abandoned place in a way that always looks beautiful. I think this positive attitude influences my creative process, driving me to seek beauty in diverse subjects and scenarios, and to highlight it in my work.

5. Your foray into corporate law firms provided tools to navigate the unregulated fashion industry. Could you share an instance or lesson from that period that significantly impacted your understanding of the legal dynamics in the fashion world?

Working in law empowered me to advocate for myself when deciphering international modeling contracts. I’m not able to provide specific examples of contracts that I’ve signed, but I can speak on the nuances and the importance of consulting with a lawyer before signing them. Some modeling firms are not like talent agencies; they’re not regulated or licensed. Many top modeling agencies are known for being management companies, which enables them to find loopholes in labor laws. In addition, models have to look for the term “Power of Attorney” on their contracts and be very cautious if they ever see this present. This means that agencies can accept payments on the model’s behalf and are not required to reveal where the funds are allocated. Some agencies engage in auto-renewing contracts, regardless of whether the agents booked jobs for their models or not. When this happens, models who do get work often find themselves in debt due to financial discrepancies, placing them in a vulnerable position to predators who can take advantage of their earnings. When agents are scouting models as young as 14, it’s crucial that parents understand the legalities and the consequences of international contracts. According to the global fashion industry statistics, the industry is estimated to be worth 1.7 trillion dollars. Therefore, agencies can afford to pay models fairly for services rendered.

6. With a diverse academic background, including screenwriting, film production, and journalism, how have these educational experiences enriched your professional career and contributed to your holistic understanding of the industries you're involved in?

In film school, I was able to express my views through storytelling and use powerful themes to convey messages about issues that were close to my heart. Journalism enabled me to write compelling articles while expressing my views and covering real stories. It’s empowering to be able to write stories and articles that are factual; so both avenues enhanced my knowledge and challenged my writing abilities. When I write screenplays, I use my imagination more, but when I write articles, my style is analytical. It’s a nice balance to have because my intention remains true no matter what format I’m using. When it comes to the industries I’m in, I’m able to write about my experiences with the sole purpose of empowering artists who may be going through challenging journeys.

8. Acknowledging the difficulty of balance, can you share some personal insights into how you manage to integrate your personal life with the demands of a dynamic and thriving professional career?

Unfortunately, I'm probably the worst person to answer this question. I've never been able to separate work relationships from personal ones. Working in this environment, you become friends with people who work in the same field, so even when I'm working, I always try to involve people I also see outside of work. I know it's not a positive thing, but I just can't seem to do it differently.

9. Beyond nominations and recognitions, are there specific professional accomplishments that you are particularly proud of? What projects or collaborations have left a lasting imprint on your creative journey?

I still feel like I haven't made the big jump yet. Each project brings me a step higher, but there's never the feeling of arrival. I like to imagine myself becoming more creative and skilled with each endeavor. Maybe one day, I'll have the honor of working with brands that I really admire so much, and that's when I might consider myself to have truly arrived.

10. Looking ahead, you've expressed goals of signing major campaigns and even realizing a movie concept. Could you provide a glimpse into your future aspirations and the projects you envision undertaking in the next phase of your career?

As I mentioned earlier, I have so many goals I want to achieve and numerous projects in mind. Sometimes, I wish there were 48 hours in a day. I have a plethora of projects, but I believe to execute them well, I need to focus solely on a few at a time. Currently, I'm divided between various projects and clients, so I hope to expand my team to have more time to dedicate to new goals. One of these goals will definitely be to create a film based on a true story. I can't wait!

INTERVIEW