The 21st century girl doesn’t pertain to any stereotype. She’s a chick of many talents, one moment she’s in Europe, the next she’s in Asia. She’s working on several artistic projects at once and killing at every single one. She’s a mix of races – picking up different cultures as she travels. She’s the mysterious girl at the party you want to know her life story who everyone has their eyes on. Here we have sat down and chatted for you.
Ellen LoraĀ and Francis Lola (Flamcis)Ā with Vampped are Los Angeles bloggers who have dropped their day jobs and started blogging full-time (they’re killing it!). Ā They have recently travelled to Tokyo for fashion week through Maybelline and the world is obsessed with their hair colour and fashion.
Photography and interview by Lauren Engel, location: Hazuki Hair
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Tell us about your upbringing and how did it shape the person you are now?
Ellen: I grew up in the greater Los Angeles area hopping between Orange County & LA. I was fortunate to have been raised in a wholesome environment. My mom has always been my frontline cheerleader and let me explore my interests and find my own way- even though at times I’m sure she thought I was brazen. Around the time I was 13, I began to experiment with my look- even as far as shaving my eyebrows- which until this day have not fully grown back. Traditional Korean parents get a bad rap for being tunnel-visionedĀ with ideals of their kids studying medicine or law. Thank God my mom wasn’t one of them, or else it could have been war between us. Growing up being able to express & embrace who I was equipped me with a sense of confidence & relentless drive that has stuck with me until today.
Flamcis: My upbringing was very sweet. I had an awesome childhood and was raised by really loving and affectionate parents. I was the second oldest in my generation, so being one of the first kids, I was given a lot of attention. All of my elders wanted to take me and my older sister out and treat us to toys and such. Itās always a good time for me to look back on. As I got older, my parents separated. It was hard for me. Now that Iām older, Iām able to take some of those traumatic family situations and use them as fuel to become a stronger and better person. It really shaped me into the person I am today.
Describe how you were like in highschool/college. Were you always dyeing your hair and had ‘edgy’ style?
Ellen: For starters, present Ellen wouldn’t even recognize high school Ellen! But fast forward to college, and I begin to look more like myself. I got more experimental & played with facial piercings & different hair colors. I messed around with orange then red hair- which when I look back realize were not good looks. In college I was still in the process of figuring what I liked & disliked, so every year was a style evolution. Looking back I seemed to be into leopard print, faux fur, leather, and gold statement pieces. I was in between girly & grunge.
Flamcis: In high school/college I would say I was pretty much the same. I was always kind of girly but I didnāt dress too edgy back then. I could say that Iām definitely more confident and bold with my appearance now. I didnāt have colorful hair back then, but I did start dying my hair in high school. I slowly went from black to brown to blonde. Now Iām a pink haired little blogger.
Was fashion always a large part of your life?
Ellen: More so than fashion, art has always been a large part of my life, but art was a segue into fashion for me. As a kid I always invaded my mom’s closet & played dressed up. I grew up knowing I wanted to work in a creative realm where I could exercise my right brain. I went on to study Theatre & Film,Ā with a emphasis in Costume Design, at the University of Southern California. Art was an essential way for me to explore my creativity & translate it onto a canvas & fashion was the same, being able to expressĀ who I was through my wardrobe. I’m definitely a form-over-function girl and always found it intriguing that an outfit could change my perception of people. I mean I used to be excited to wake up in the mornings to put my look together.
Flamcis: Yes! Iāve loved fashion since I was a little girl. I used to have fashion shows with my Barbies and had a ton of Barbie doll clothing. Iāve always loved clothes and piecing them together. Itās definitely my favorite form of self expression. I feel like putting an outfit together is like a puzzle with endless possibilities. I always knew I wanted to be involved in fashion somehow.
Other than fashion, what are your interests/hobbies?
Ellen: I love music & the arts. I wake up to music & fall asleep to music. In my spare time I love going to museums, hiking & being in nature, and spending time with my friends & family over food and chats. I also love traveling and experiencing different cultures. Nothing is as eye-opening & supplemental to self-growth as traveling. I studied abroad in London for 5-6 months in college & traveled to 10 different countries during my stay and it was one of the most amazing experiences ever. And also since I was aĀ bit of a theatre geek in college, I still love catching shows & musical productions.
Flamcis: Iām a BIG foodie. I love going out and trying new restaurants, making lists of places I havenāt tried, and also saving recipes to try for myself at home. Aside from eating, I love traveling. Whether itās out of the country or just outside of LA, I love experiencing what other places have to offer.
“The thrill of life inspires. Being surrounded by my loved ones. Working hard and seeing the results. Not knowing what’s next and seeing how things will unfold and taking life as it comes at you.”
What made you decide to take the leap and make blogging your fulltime job?
Ellen: Initially I had a full time job working as an assistant designer at a clothing company, but working as an assistant designer you don’t get much creative will. I had started blogging on the side just for myself as a creative outlet and since I loved styling, I thought why not share it. I gradually started putting more time & energy into blogging than my actual job and made the decision to go full time. I realized that blogging fused all the elements I was looking for in a full time job- styling & using wardrobe as an expressive tool, working with like-minded creative individuals, being my own boss & making my own schedule. It felt like the right move & I’m so glad that I did! There is a certain element of uncertainty with going full time, because it’s essentially free lance, but the reassuring thing is, you get what you put into it.
Flamcis: I was nervous at first, but once I was able to consistently get work through my blog, I decided to take on blogging full time. It was great because I was able to put 100% of my focus on my blog and I feel like it really paid off. Itās a decision I will never regret making.
What were you doing before you started blogging?
Ellen: Coming out of college in 2012, my mentality was if I’m interested, then try it. So I worked in the costume shop for a Los Angeles theater company called the Center Theater Group and realized theatre wasn’t quite the right fit for me. Then moved onto working as a costume designer for independent films. I realized studying theatre & film in a university and in the real world were totally different and took a break from costuming. I went on to work at a fashion PR showroom, then as a stylist’s assistant. FromĀ there, I worked as an assistant designer at a clothing company in 2014 then simultaneously began blogging on the side.
Flamcis: I was working at a company as a merchandising assistant and also in school. It was a great job, but I definitely prefer blogging.
Who are your style inspirations and why?
Ellen: My style inspirations are bad females who are completely comfortable in their own shoes & do them. My number one girl has to be Rihanna. She’s fearless and unapologetic. She’s has an eclectic wardrobe and we don’t know what she’ll spring on us next, but you better believe she’s going to be feeling her self one hundred. She’s in a refined suit one moment then in a see-through latex dress the next. It’s fun when people mix it up, but always have a core individualistic element of they remain true to.
Flamcis: I donāt follow much celebrity fashion, but I do love Victoria Beckham, Kylie Jenner and Zoe Kravitz. Their styles are chic, edgy and girly which are some characteristics I like to add to my wardrobe. But more than anything, Iām really inspired by a lot of things I see in stores, magazines or social media. I just like to take little pieces of everything and make it my own.
What inspires you to live?
Ellen: The thrill of life inspires. There are so many things and people to be experienced in this lifetime. Being surrounded by my loved ones & peers and growing and sharing moments with them. Working hard and seeing the results. Not knowing what’s next and seeing how things will unfold and takingĀ life as it comes at you.
Flamcis: Just experiencing all that life has to offer. I love spending time with loved ones and doing as many things as possible. Whether itās taking a spontaneous trip somewhere or just grabbing some boba, I just love quality time. The thought of being around people and experiencing things together inspires me to live.
What is your perception on true love?
Ellen: Love is one of the most powerful things. Whether the love is shared between family, friends, or significant other. Having the security of love is liberating because it allows people to feel good & comfortable in their own skin. Love is at the core of why we do the things we do. True love extendsĀ beyond people and even to ours jobs. True love knows no boundaries so the successful & happiest of folks are the ones who have chased what they love and followed through with their passions.
Flamcis: True love is someone or something that makes you feel fulfilled and happy. It could be a significant other, a family member, or even a passion. True love, to me, is finding someone or something that completes you and makes you feel like you donāt need much else.
