Maria is the founder of ITALICA Boutique, the Italian women's fashion boutique at 441 N Orange Ave in downtown Sarasota, Florida. She selects every piece the boutique carries and writes its styling guides.

After living in Sarasota for eight years, Maria could not find a store that represented the European aesthetic she grew up with — so in February 2025 she opened ITALICA to bring authentic Italian fashion directly to Sarasota. She works hands-on with Italian buying teams who have been in the trade for more than seventeen years, choosing garments by live video from warehouses in Italy and shipping the selected pieces to Sarasota within five days.

Her background in interior design shapes both the boutique's calm, considered atmosphere and the way she approaches styling: fabric first, proportion second, and pieces that last beyond a single season. That perspective runs through the guides she writes on dressing for Florida's climate, building a versatile Italian-leaning wardrobe, and styling specific pieces from the boutique.

Areas of expertise

  • Italian and European designer apparel and sourcing
  • Personal styling for a warm, year-round climate
  • Fabric quality, tailoring, and garment construction
  • Boutique retail and curation

Styling guides by Maria

Visit Maria and the ITALICA team in person Monday–Saturday, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, at 441 N Orange Ave, Sarasota, FL — or read more about the boutique.