More than just fashion bloggers, Camille Co and Laureen Uy break down what it takes to shine and persist in their industry and what it truly means to be of influence.
Related: The Other Side of Influence: Why The Blogger Jowas Are The Antidote We Need On Social Media
When you’re observing someone solely through their social media accounts, it can become so easy to judge. Before you know it, labels are flying out your tongue and you’re judging someone you barely know. It can get easy to let it get to your head, but true masters of the platform will ride past it.
Aware of their status, yet totally casual about it as well, style stars Camille Co and Laureen Uy have proven to stay relevant since the height of fashion blogs around 2010 up to this day. Constantly evolving to become better versions of themselves, these two #BloggerBesties have become masters of their chosen platform, transitioning from having just a fashion blog as their social media platform to rising to Instagram and vlogger fame as well.
While many might comment that these fashionable, jet-setting ladies have it easy, the two have had their fair share of struggles before making it big. MEGA sits down to have a conversation with the two, who prove to be so much more than their online counterparts. Bright, down-to-earth and not to mention, hilarious, the first few minutes spent talking to them will already show you why they’re adored and looked up to by many.
On Laureen: Silver plunging asymmetrical dress by LIZA PADILLA; On Camille: Silver sequined dress by LIZA PADILLA
MEGA: What inspired you to express your love for fashion through blogging? Was it natural because of the influx of fashion bloggers in the 2000s?
Camille: I’ve always enjoyed dressing up and documenting my look for the day. But I’m not going to lie; blogging was really for my fashion line, Coexist. I wanted to find a way to advertise my pieces without having to spend much. I started with Lookbook, Chictopia, and eventually, I saw friends like Laureen starting to blog, so I gave it a go. It was a natural transition for me.
Laureen: I’ve always believed in letting people know that what you wear is who you are. You have to be able to express yourself every single day. While I’ve loved dressing up since I was a kid, I felt that blogging gave it a deeper meaning. Everyday, when I post something, I want my readers to learn something from it.
C: I also think that when the both of us started blogging, we didn’t think about the business aspect that now comes with it. It was really because we wanted to share our looks and our personal style.
How would you say your work is different now compared to then?
C: We both vlog now and I think it’s a nice transition, a nice extension to what we were already doing. Personally, the reason why I went into vlogging was because I wanted to be more personal, as it it were a literal behind the scenes of the photos on my Instagram and my blog. Over there, I’m always so extra with what I post, palaging pak! Everyone thought I looked so intimidating with all those fierce poses so I wanted to show people another side of myself: fun, dynamic, far from the photos I post.
L: It’s really the same for me. Every year, I want to try something new. I think making videos would make us more approachable to our followers.
Silver plunging asymmetrical dress by LIZA PADILLA
So people think you’re more intimidating because of your blogs?
L: Yes, definitely. Kasi naman in our posts, palagi hindi kami nakangiti. [laughs]
Having said that your vlog is more on the personal side, where do you draw the line in terms of privacy? How do you avoid oversharing too much about your lives?
C: For me, an example is that I don’t share too much about my parents because they’re very private. There are just some things you just choose not to share. I guess the way I make my platform personal is the way that I talk to and engage with my followers, rather than just basing it on the things that I share. I wouldn’t want to reveal anything too private that would come back to bite me in the ass.
L: I think I’m pretty open to my followers. But I also feel that they know when I’m not supposed to share something, so I feel a lot of them respect that space. It’s a two-way thing.
These days, what do you think makes a true influencer?
C: To be honest, I’m not totally comfortable with the term ‘influencer.’ Personally, it’s like telling other people, “I influence you.” And what is an influencer, really?
Many also have this notion of an influencer nowadays, that it is kind of an easy way to success. What makes it different for you two, who have obviously had substance from the start?
C: If you were to call yourself an influencer—and again, I’m not saying that I call myself one—I would say that a true influencer is someone who has a certain power to reach a lot of people. Someone who can spread his or her voice, thoughts and opinions and inspire people to do something because of your words. So, if you want to see yourself as an influencer then be aware of this fact. You can’t simply be all, ‘I can post whatever I want, this is my personal space.’ At the end of the day, you still have to be careful with what you post because that’s something that will reflect on you and can eventually affect other people. Even if you want to post something that is no big deal to you, you have to think about it, since there’s so much power in the platform that we have.
L: True, social media is a very powerful platform. For me, an influencer is someone who uses their platform to encourage and inspire. Someone who can make a difference, whether it be big or small.
C: Until now, the both of us are still very surprised at how much something seemingly small can be so influential. We’re not saving lives with what we do, nothing like that [laughs]. But we appreciate all the little things that come our way, since some followers really make it a point to say to you how you inspired or affected them.
L: I go back saying that it’s a two-way thing. When I post something, I don’t just think about myself. I always think of them—if they will like what I put out, if I think they will learn something from it, if it will inspire them to be more confident, etc. It’s everything.
How do you deal with haters?
L: Having a good support system is very important.
C: True, it’s like ranting to a friend.
L: I think because I have an older sister that went into the industry before me, I was already warned about what to expect in terms of haters. The internet is my happy place but there are also times when its scary. Everyone has a voice and sometimes, a random anonymous person just attacks you for no reason. It can get into your head at times, so that’s why it’s important to surround yourself with good people.
C: Laureen entered the industry before me, so she would also tell me what to be prepared for. You just have to ignore the haters. Although, there are times when I answer back [laughs]. Sometimes lang, when I feel that it’s something that I have to answer.
Chainmail mini dress by TOPSHOP, gunmetal mini skirt by LIZA PADILLA and black vinyl lace up heels by FOREVER 21
Would you have any tips for those who want to get into the same line of work?
C: I always tell people to examine why they’re doing it. If you’re just getting into it for the freebies or perks, then I don’t think it’s going to work. People see through that. The reason why people follow you is because they can relate to you. And if the only fire that’s pushing you is the wrong things, then that isn’t right.
L: I usually get emails from readers asking how they can start a blog, or how to earn money from your blog. I tell friends who are considered the OG bloggers and tell them that never ko narinig sa kanila that money was a primary concern. They all started their blogs because it was their passion. So I would tell readers to start from their passion, whether it be dressing up or cooking, for example.
C: Given that, everything is about content. If you’re passionate about something, you would really care about the content that you’re producing. So that’s another piece of advice I’d give—always make sure you’re giving out the best content.
Let’s move on to fashion for a bit. Who are your style icons?
C: Giovanna Battaglia Engelbert! She’s so sophisticated but still makes fashion so fun. Anything she wears puts a smile on my face.
L: I know my style is quite different from hers but I really love Princess Diana. Every time I see photos of her I always think to myself, This woman is so chic.
On Laureen: Sequin slip dress by WALK OF SHAME AT DISTINQT; On Camille: Chainmail mini dress by TOPSHOP and gunmetal mini skirt by LIZA PADILLA
What’s one thing that will never go out of style?
L: Basics, the things we consider essential in a wardrobe. For me, it’s a white shirt, jeans, your little black dress and black pumps.
C: Classic clean cuts. What we call norm core [laughs]. I’m referring to the pieces themselves, not the way you style them.
What’s next for you two? What is one thing you still want to achieve in your line of work?
C: So many things. I never know how to answer that question.
L: Growing up, I wasn’t content with doing just one thing. I always want to keep learning and growing. I feel that your achievements shouldn’t stop somewhere.
C: We’re not closing our doors, we’re very open to new experiences. We just know we want to do more.
On Laureen: Sequin slip dress by WALK OF SHAME AT DISTINQT and black ankle strap heels by FOREVER 21; On Camille: Chainmail mini dress by TOPSHOP, gunmetal mini skirt by LIZA PADILLA and black vinyl lace up heels by FOREVER 21
