INTERVIEW WITH LAURA BLAIR: WHAT IT’S REALLY LIKE TO BE A FASHION INFLUENCER Amber Johnson interviews Laura Blair, where she discusses the reality of being a fashion influencer, tricks, and tips for becoming an Influencer on social media, and all about sustainable fashion. How did you get into fashion and beauty influencing? It kind of just fell into place. I began before it was really a thing - I was just always into fashion. I was one of those people that would trail through the charity shops when I was 16 years old and could not afford anything, so I'd spend every penny I'd had in a charity shop. And when I went into school, everyone would always be like, “Where's this from?” So, when Instagram came about, I would just start posting my outfits and tagging things because it just made sense. It was just a very natural movement for me to go into. I don’t even think I've been doing it as long as some people. I started first with a blog seven years ago and I started on Instagram maybe five years ago. I actually started my page like a Pinterest board with loads of images on my phone. When the magazines were out, I would take pictures of any inspo. I got to 10k on just an inspo page and then I found out what bloggers were doing and stuff, so I just started taking pictures of myself with the 10k I already had. It just kind of took off.
What would you say is a go-to outfit for you? My pyjamas! I discovered this brand at the beginning of lockdown called One Hundred Stars. I think it is a family run
business, a really unique kind of startup. They are pure silk robes and they sent me one as a gift and I said this feels amazing! Honestly, I have lived in it. I’ve got about four now and [they] aren’t only comfortable, but they look a little bit sexy so when the postman comes to the door, I look kind of okay. It just really made me not feel a mess in lockdown. They are beautiful long silk kimonos with gorgeous patterns on them. I think they are handmade too. If you could only have one cosmetic item for the rest of your life, what would it be and why? Mascara for sure. I've got really seethrough eyelashes, like really blonde. Mascara makes a massive difference to me. So, my desert island item would definitely be my mascara. I use the Marc Jacobs one. I'm not entirely sure what it's called but it's the new one. But that and an eyelash serum is a game changer. I used to always wear eyelash extensions but obviously we couldn't get them done, so I started putting the eyelash serum on and found this mascara and I swear I will never go back to extensions again. What advice would you give to anyone who wanted to start influencing in fashion and beauty on social media? And what would they really be getting themselves in for? I have so many people wanting to do this. When I started, everyone used to laugh, like, “Oh, what is she doing taking pictures?”. And now it is such a change because everyone kind of wants to do it. The market is so saturated, especially with like Gen Z and millennials. TikTok started and every one of the younger generation wanted to be an influencer.
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I think a lot of people are put off because it is so saturated. But I honestly say, if you want to do it, the cream will always rise the top. It's no easier, it’s no harder starting now than it was all those years ago. TikTok has only been around for a couple of months and the other platforms don’t cross over. So, if you are big on Instagram, you're not big on TikTok or you're not big on YouTube, they never cross. Which I think people would think they would do, but they really don't. I started TikTok in September, and I think i'm on 250,000 followers. So, that's starting a new platform. You can start Instagram tomorrow and be on 200k by the end of the year, don't ever be put off, you just have to start.
