Lookfantastic Beauty Box | March 2017

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14 LOOKFANTASTIC BEAUTY BOX
Howdidyoubeginyour
career in the fashionand
beauty industry?
Blogging was my entry into the
fashion and beauty industry. I started
writing Coco’s Tea Party when I was
16-years-old, and had just begun
studying for my A-levels. It was just
a hobby at first, and I had no idea
blogging would not only open so
many doors for me, but would also
go on to become my full-time job.
I blogged throughout my time at
college and university, and, after
graduating, stepped straight into
an internship at one of my favourite
magazines. However, after just two
months I decided to take a leap of
faith and focus on Coco’s Tea Party
full-time. Luckily the risk paid off,
and I’ve never looked back.
What inspiredyou tobegin
Coco’sTeaParty?
When I started Coco’s Tea Party back
in 2006, the fashion landscape was
completely different. The industry was
very closed-off from the public, so
you didn’t get all of the behind-the-
scenes access you do now. And after
you’d finished your favourite monthly
magazine, you would have to wait
another 3-4 weeks before the next
issue hits the newsstands. So I started
blogging purely as a way to have fun,
entertain myself and learn more about
fashion and beauty.
Tea Party
WE WERE LUCKY ENOUGH TO SIT DOWN WITH
ELLA GREGORY FROM COCO’S TEA PARTY AND
DISCUSS ALL ABOUT HER CAREER AS A BLOGGER...
An Interviewwith
15
What has been the
definingmoment in
your career?
Celebrating the 10-
year anniversary of
Coco’s Tea Party last
September felt like a
massive milestone. And
I published an e-book,
10 Things I Wish I Knew
When I Started Blogging,
around the same time,
which is the biggest
project I’ve worked on
to-date. But there have
been so many pivotal
moments over the last
decade. The one pinch-
me moment that I don’t
think I’ll ever get over is
the time Sarah Jessica
Parker tweeted me.
I did a blog post where
I dressed up in a tutu,
like Carrie Bradshaw
in the opening credits
of Sex and the City,
and the next morning I
woke up to a tweet from
SJP saying, “you look
adorable in that tutu!”
It was so exciting!
What advicedo
youhave for
women starting
out their careers?
I think it’s so important
to understand there
will be highs and lows
in anything that you
do – especially if you’re
starting your own
business. So remember
to celebrate your
achievements when they
come, and whenever
you’re struggling
through a low point,
look back on those
past successes and
keep pushing yourself
forwards. And surround
yourself with a great
group of supportive,
likeminded women, so
you can become each
other’s cheerleaders.
What future
ventures are in the
pipeline forCoco’s
TeaParty?
I’m really excited about
2017, and am playing
around with a few
interesting ideas at
the moment. After the
success of my e-book
I’m hoping to expand
on my digital download
offering, and am also
thinking about how I can
add more video content
to Coco’s Tea Party.
What,for you,is
the best thingabout
beingawoman?
There are so many great
things about being a
woman. I think women
are so powerful, and
often underestimated.
So one of the best
things is being able to
support and champion
other women, so that we
can all become stronger
together. I grew up
listening to the Spice
Girls and Destiny’s Child,
so #GirlPower is a big
deal for me!