From clothes swaps and cooking classes to candle painting and now speed dating, Chiara Almeida is constantly concocting new and interesting ways for people to meet. We sat down to learn more.
What brought you to Florence and what did you do before?
I’m from Paris. I was working there as a content creator and social media manager, and I also had my own candle brand that I created from scratch. However, at some point I felt like I needed a total change. I came to Florence for a vacation in 2022 and I fell in love with the city. Six months later, I basically flipped my life upside down to move here.
What prompted you to create events for the community?
It felt like the universe was pushing me to leave Paris, but then I had to start from scratch here. I had my boyfriend here, which was hugely important, also in terms of settling in. I started working in tours and classes and then decided to branch out myself. I love to create and I just wanted to have people meeting together and create community. I got lucky in that I met the right people at the right time and worked on forging connections to create the kind of event that I want to concentrate on: truly memorable events that have a spectacular view, food, candles, etc.–something really beautiful and unique. It was also a great way for me to make my own community, and so many friends have become involved in helping out.
You’re also a photographer?
Photography is my main work and passion, and to have work in this and also events means I’m the happiest girl in the world. It really helped me also to create my own community here. I’ve always loved taking pictures and wanted to turn it into my living, but imposter syndrome always got in the way. Then, a friend asked if I would shoot her friend’s wedding, and I thought, No way, it’s a wedding! But she told me that she believed in me and that really kickstarted things.
Tell us about the clothes swaps. What have the reactions been like?
The project grew out of my lifelong love for events and my tendency to want to do many things at once. I always knew I wanted to become an event planner, even if I didn’t yet know how or where to begin. The clothes swap came about through a conversation with my friend Nike Brannstrom about how we consume fashion. I haven’t bought fast fashion in nearly two years, choosing instead to thrift at markets or on Vinted. While selling my own clothes one day, I thought about how much bigger this idea could be. What started as a plan to invite ten girls to swap clothes at home quickly grew—because we don’t really know how to do things small—into hosting the event at The Hoxton, a place that immediately came to mind because I had worked with them before. We created a full presentation, contacted the PR team and, when they said yes, everything became real. The first month was nerve-racking because the concept was new, but we loved the idea of creating a dream-like market experience, including a DJ set by Nika Delmonte, where people drop off clothes, receive a ticket, and essentially “shop” with what feels like free money. The first event sold out and went smoothly, the second was just as successful, and with each one we learn more, like potentially staggering entry times in the future. Our next event is on February 8 at The Hoxton and all leftover clothes are donated. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with Instagram and flyers helping spread the word. While the crowd has been varied, we’ve mostly seen women in their twenties to forties so far, and we’d love to welcome more men in the future.
And now there’s speed dating! How did that come about?
I fell in love with Tosco Tacos on via Santa Verdiana because I’m half Mexican, and when I saw that a real Mexican taqueria was opening in Florence, I was so excited. Honestly, it didn’t disappoint. The owner, Tommaso, asked me what I thought about organizing speed dating, and I immediately said yes! To attend, you’ll need a ticket that will include food and a drink, and then you’ll be part of a one-hour slot of six couples. My friend Marina (@marina_di_california) will be the host, and no doubt it’s going to be a lot of fun! It will be on Valentine’s Day, and it’s called Love at First Bite; you’ll get to meet new people, and if you find love, even better!
Links to the various events can be found at IG @chiaralmeida_
