Rachel Nguyen, otherwise knowns as “That’s Chic”, is a fashion blogger and YouTuber. The Californian-bred has garnered 128k subscribers on her YouTube channel and 110k followers on Instagram for her chic, effortless, Parisian-esque style. Nguyen offers her audience an effervescent vibe—one that will inspire you to delve into the creative abyss and have a new perspective on life and the world. So, naturally, we chatted with her about fashion, travelling, and YouTube.
By: Angelica Babiera
HOLR: What inspired you to become a fashion influencer and fashion blogger? How did you get started, and how long have you been doing it?
RACHEL NGUYEN: I think the better question is—how I’ve stayed inspired being in this industry. There was no motive when I started, the idea of documenting your life online was still very new. It’s almost scary to think how long I’ve been doing it (10+ years). But I definitely go through my ebbs and flows of my passion for creating. There’s a part of me that questions the motives and superficiality of being an ‘influencer,’ and another part of me feels empowered by it.
HOLR: What inspired you to become a YouTuber?
RACHEL NGUYEN: I started YouTube after having a blog for several years ( never full time though). I was transitioning out of a job and was thinking of how I can continue what I do but in a way that means something to me. At the time, everyone was just taking outfit photos on a wall and that bored me to death. YouTube was such a big thing but there was nothing I wanted to watch. So I tried to fill in a void, make something, someone my age and vibe would want to watch as well!
HOLR: Since winter is in full swing here in Toronto, what would you say are your top 5 winter piece essentials?
RN: I’m a horrible person to ask because I’m always cold and underdressed. I’m a California baby after all! But, I would say a cute puffer jacket, knee high boots, Uniqlo’s heat tech (they just collaborated with Alexander Wang and it’s so good), a wool hat (NOT A BEANIE), black tights (because it’s very hard for me to give up skirts and dresses).
HOLR:What is your favourite brand right now and why?
RACHEL NGUYEN: I’ve been really loving what Paco Rabanne has been doing – they’ve taken construction to a different level and the way its photographed, the casting, and the energy. I don’t know, I can’t keep my mind off of it. I think fashion can get too serious and too street sometimes, Paco makes it seem fun.
HOLR: What is the number one thing that your travels have taught you about yourself, the people around you, and the world?
RACHEL NGUYEN: That we’re all looking for acceptance and being kind doesn’t have a language. We all want it, no matter how quiet, hard, or foolish a person is. If we can all find that empathy for each other, the world would be a much better place.
HOLR: There are a lot of people out there who aspire to be like you, or do something as extraordinary as what you are doing. Do you have any advice for these people?
RACHEL NGUYEN: The most general advice I can give as I’m sure everyone has such different strokes of life, ambitions, and obstacles, is to go back to my first point, be nice. Go out of the way to be nice. We’re so in our own head all the time that when someone reaches out, it almost takes us off guard. Be that kindness in someone else’s life. Also, everyone is so in their own heads all the time (face it, we’re all narcissists), no one is actually—consciously—caring about you. So do what you want to do, and don’t let your internal monologue of peer perception deter you form what you want to do. It’s not just in career, but it’s a way of living for me. HAVE FUN. BE NICE. DO YOU. No one can hate you for that.
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