From Influencer To Entrepreneur: Chriselle Lim On Her New Clothing Collection
In today’s oversaturated influencer market, the original guard of mega-influencers are looking for new ways to resonate with their audiences and set themselves apart. Take Chriselle Lim for example: since founding her website The Chriselle Factor in 2011, Lim has set herself apart as one of the web’s leading fashion & beauty influencers. Now she’s ready to take her influence to a whole new level by launching her own namesake clothing collection with Nordstrom, The Chriselle Lim Collection.
We sat down with Lim to discuss how the collection came about and why influencers are starting to branch out and launch their own collections.
SIMPLY: What were the main sources of inspiration behind this collection?
CHRISELLE LIM: The inspiration behind my collection was the real working women who have to be out in the work field every single day, whether you’re a full-time mom, whether you’re a real estate agent, whether you have to go to a corporate office…anyone who’s a go-getter
SIMPLY: You created a capsule collection with J.O.A. last season. How did the evolution of your own namesake label come about?
CL: Last season I came out with a collection with J.O.A. that was also exclusively sold at Nordstrom, and it did so well—beyond what I could even imagine—that the natural evolution was to start my own line!
So here we are! The first collection was very feminine, girly, and perfect for summer, but this collection I feel really embodies who I am today as a working woman, having to do multiple things throughout the day.
SIMPLY: How is creating and running a clothing line different from running your website, The Chriselle Factor?
CL: I’ve learned throughout this process of having my own clothing line. Of course there are similiarities with running a blog and a website, but having to think a year in advance of what people will wear is very different.
Right now it’s Fall 2018, but I’m already designing for Fall 2019, which is insane! Having to start thinking really far ahead was definitely a big challenge.
But also, creating pieces not only that I love but that I think other people will love and can apply and wear in their everyday lives is really exciting.
SIMPLY: Why do you think fashion bloggers and influencers are so suited to designing clothing?
CL: I think it’s amazing that with influencers and bloggers, you’re seeing a lot more of their own namesake brands because we’ve worked so hard to build our own audience, and these people are fans that have followed us for a very long time. For me personally, I know my audience so well that they’re like family, so being able to create something for them is the natural evolution of going from influencer to your very own designer.
SIMPLY: Do you have a favorite piece from the collection, and what is your favorite way to style it?
CL: I’d say my favorite pieces from the collection are definitely the outerwear options, in particular the menswear blazer. This one is actually inspired by a vintage men’s suit jacket, but we added pink piping on it to give it more of a feminine touch.
I love a good juxtaposition of masculine meets feminine, and it also comes as a matching set with a plaid skirt which is perfect for work, or you can just wear the jacket separately with jeans and a T-shirt.