hiara King's TikTok profile declares, “I talk about boys”, and appropriately, as
the singer-songwriter, actress and content creator settled into a chair for hair and
C
'If opportunity doesn't knock, then you've got to build a door'
n a suite at the Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, three members of the H! Fashion team are exchanging style tips and career advice as they model looks from Louis Vuitton, Tom Ford and Celine.
auren Ramsay, Fashion and Lifestyle Writer at H! Fashion since 2022, interjects: “I feel like
L
Reflecting on their career trajectories, Natalie tells the intriguing story behind her arrival at
H! Fashion. “Funnily enough, I was moving from Sweden where I was working at Vogue Scandinavia as Digital Editor.
“I got put in touch with the publisher of HELLO! through my friend Roxie Nafousi who is author of the Sunday Times bestselling book ‘Manifest’, as I was looking for a job at the time. The rest is history. I’d say that if you're ever looking for a job, it helps to have a friend who's a manifesting coach!”
Lauren landed her role shortly after graduating. “I did a Master's in Magazine journalism at City University, where Natalie had studied before me. She was looking for an online writer and there was contact with my university. They asked who had just graduated and who was interested in fashion, and here we are…”
Ray’s path saw her work in graphic design, as she built a burgeoning career on social media,
now boasting 138K followers on Instagram and 1.4M likes on TikTok. “I did business management and marketing at Kent University, and while I was there I worked as a graphic designer
at a fashion company.
Lauren states that “For me, the most challenging part is having to wear so many hats at once. I feel like I've learned so much from being here. But sometimes there's not enough hours in a day because there is just so much to do and I want to do it to the best of my ability. No two days are the same, which is great, but there’s a lot to juggle.”
ach modelling a makeup look that reflects their aesthetic, the team dial
E
Lauren agrees that “All of our aesthetics are completely different. I look to my team for inspiration, and think that I want to be a bit braver. We all inspire each other.”
Celebrating personal style is central to H! Fashion’s ethos, and as Ray says “I like having my mind changed and seeing a celebrity or influencer wearing a trend that I would have dismissed. But I'm never going to wear the thong boot or the hyper Y2K looks that are around, so it’s also about knowing your limits.”
Natalie adds “You can incorporate trends which still adhere to your personal style without having to completely change your look. I’m 34 and I know what suits me now, but it's fun once in a while to try things that I see that I might have never considered wearing. I wore low rise trousers recently at London Fashion Week which is something I never thought I’d do again in a million years… but they still felt like ‘me’”
A lightweight daily sunscreen with SPF50+ specifically formulated for sensitive skin types.
la roche-posay spf50+
Invisible fluid
A mattifying facial suncream with SPF50+ protection, designed for oily and breakout-prone skin types.
la roche-posay spf50+
Oil control fluid
A light, fluid sunscreen with high SPF and cutting-edge UV filters to safeguard your skin from sun damage.
la roche-posay spf50+
Invisible fluid tint
“I’ve always loved Estée Lauder because my mother used it growing up. I find it very nostalgic. But also the packaging is just beautiful and timeless, and of course, the products speak for themselves. They're super reliable and long lasting, it's never let me down yet.”
Ray confides that “I have pretty oily skin, and the Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup SPF 10 Foundation sits natural matte, so I haven’t had to worry about touch ups. My complexion looks flawless, but the makeup doesn’t feel heavy.”
All from Estée Lauder
Nat wears jacket from Louis Vuitton and earrings from Swarovski
"I do view my clothing as armour in some ways.”
“When I graduated I got a job at the luxury tech retailer Smartech. I was creating social content for them but also doing my own influencing on the side, putting together outfits, and running my own accounts. That made me realise I missed working in fashion so much, so when the Social Media Manager role was advertised I applied as it just made sense.”
I
Ray wears dress and belt from Kenzo and earrings from SO-LE Studio. Nat wears hoodie and skirt from Tory Burch and earrings, necklace and bracelet all from Tilly Sveaas. Lauren wears playsuit, jacket and turtleneck all from Max Mara and earrings from MAM Originals
“We’re going for a drink after the shoot as we don’t want to waste this makeup!” Lauren laughs. “I’ve loved the Double Wear Smooth & Blur Primer today, and the makeup artist has shown me the perfect way to do my eyebrows using the Brow Multitasker.”
Moonlighting as our cover models, does the team feel pressured to look like the stars we feature? “I don’t, because I know how much goes on work goes into it” Lauren states.
“It takes a village, whether it's the people doing the makeup, fixing the hair, or the stylist making sure that everything looks perfect on set, and the photographer lighting and retouching the images. The crews are all professionals, whereas 90% of people are not professional makeup artists.”
Sharing how her approach to beauty has changed, she continues “Perhaps it’s a gradual shift as you get older, but now I prefer to focus on my skincare over makeup. If the base is prepped and it feels good, then like the rest sorts itself out. I always apply Estée Lauder's Advanced Night Repair Serum, and then I use a sheer layer of foundation and some mascara. A lip gloss is always important and I do my eyebrows. I’m a five-minute makeup girl.”
make-up before her Hello! Fashion shoot, the discussion naturally gravitated towards precisely that.
Alongside working with luxury brands, Chiara creates videos and content centred around dating, relationships and break-ups, which she shares with her four million followers on TikTok and 1.2 million on Instagram.
Her emphasis on matters of the heart ultimately began to flourish when she embarked on a relationship with her inaugural love, who she split with in 2020. Initially she documented falling in love, and subsequently, her first heartbreak.
“He literally broke my heart into a million pieces,” she tells us candidly. “It took me
a long time to heal from that, but allowing myself to be vulnerable online is when I grew
a lot on TikTok.”
“I’m 5’7 so platforms and flares give me a bit of added height which makes me feel more confident when I walk into a meeting or a room where I might not know many people.
I also like collecting lots of vintage jewellery, they are almost like amulets at this point.
I do view my clothing as armour in some ways.”
Ray and I are style opposites! I like 1990s minimalism, lots of understated outfits, lots of tailoring and muted colours. Some people feel more confident when their outfits make them the loudest in the room whereas I'm the opposite.”
“I don't want to stand out in a room. I like wearing things that are quite quiet and chic, as that's what makes me feel more confident.”
Ray explains that “Growing up, my mum always told me that first impressions are really important. But I felt shy, so when I got dressed, I felt like I got the chance to say something with my outfit before I was able to express myself. I wouldn’t have to do all the heavy lifting with a conversation if I could wear something that showed a part of me.”
up the glamour with Estée Lauder products. Sharing her day-to-day routine, Natalie tells “I get ready early in the morning to go into the office and sometimes I'll have an event after, so I need something that's going to last all day. There’s a lot of setting spray involved! I like natural-looking makeup with maybe a copper eye, something that can easily take me from the office into the evening.
“I love the Estée Lauder Futurist Hydra Rescue Moisturizing Foundation, because even though it gives really good coverage, it doesn't camouflage my freckles. It lasts all day, which is something that I really value at work.
“You want makeup that works for you and not the other way around. I think makeup is just as important as what you're wearing because I always feel so much more confident when I feel polished, so it's a big part of my personal style.
Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation SPF 10
Futurist Hydra Rescue Moisturizing Foundation SPF 45
Futurist Skin Tint Serum Foundation with Botanical Oil Infusion SPF 20
“The line between my life and work is really blurred now. What am I wearing today – is that content?”
“The most amazing part of my job is seeing brilliant creative teams putting together looks as it constantly gives you inspiration for what to wear, and that’s the really fun part of getting to do what I do.”
“I'm constantly inspired by what I see my colleagues wearing. I love the fact that the
H! Fashion team all have really different personal styles. The most amazing part of my job is also seeing brilliant creative teams putting together looks for our shoots as it constantly gives you inspiration for what to wear, and that’s the really fun part of getting to do what I do.”
Social Media Manager Raymonda Jalloh has been with the team for seven months,
and shares “I use the word playful to describe my style because it encapsulates how much fun I like to have with my clothes. I don't really have an aesthetic that I stick to as I like to
mix texture, layers and colour.
“I take a lot of inspiration from the 1970s and 1990s because that's where a lot of my
vintage clothes are from. It's all about having as much fun as I can.”
Editor Natalie Salmon, who joined H! Fashion in February 2022 and now heads up the magazine across its print and digital platforms, muses “I’d describe my personal style as a little bit eccentric, but with polish. I love the style of Lee Radziwill and also love the silhouettes of the 1960s and 1970s, so there's a lot of retro influence.”
"It can be really overwhelming to be this small fish in a really big pond"
Lauren wears dress from Celine and earrings from Vintage Christian Dior at susancaplan.co.uk
Ray raises the issue that “The line between my life and work is really blurred now. What am I wearing today – is that content? If I’m going to an event after work, is that my personal time or work related? I feel like in my head I'm constantly editing reels!”
Reflecting on the opportunities and experiences afforded to them by working in fashion, the chance to witness first-hand the work of the world’s leading and emerging designers remains a thrill. “I’ve learned so much about the industry, and attending fashion shows is my favourite part” says Lauren. “London Fashion Week was hectic but honestly the most amazing experience.”
"Don’t be scared of an ugly outfit. Wear the weird things!"
Ray wears dress from Rat & Boa and necklace from Chanel at susancaplan.co.uk.
Each modelling a makeup look that reflects their aesthetic, the team dial up the glamour with Estée Lauder products. Sharing her day-to-day routine, Natalie tells “I get ready early in the morning to go into the office and sometimes I'll have an event after, so I need something that's going to last all day. There’s a lot of setting spray involved! I like natural-looking makeup with maybe a copper eye, something that can easily take me from the office into the evening.
“I love the Estée Lauder Futurist Hydra Rescue Moisturizing Foundation SPF 45, because even though it gives really good coverage, it doesn't camouflage my freckles. It lasts all day, which is something that I really value at work.
“You want makeup that works for you and not the other way around. I think makeup is just as important as what you're wearing because I always feel so much more confident when I feel polished, so it's a big part of my personal style.
Ray agrees, telling that “My relationship with makeup has changed so much. When I first started using it, when I was 15, it’d be to conceal things about myself that I felt insecure about. But now as I’ve gotten older, I’m more in tune with my features, and I know what works for me.
“I feel like I'm having a lot more fun with it now, and experimenting. I really like blue mascara and trying different eyeshadows, whether they’re sparkly or wet look. Working on shoots I'm always intrigued to see what the makeup artists are using, and I enjoy trying out new products for social media.”
Having assembled her team at H! Fashion, what advice does Natalie have for those aspiring to work in the media? “I'd really encourage people who want to get into journalism to explore doing a Masters degree because it gives you a really solid foundation of media law,
and a good training.
I'd also suggest interning at your local paper or radio station. People have this vision that straight away they need to work at a high-profile or national magazine, but that’s not really how most people's careers go. Start small and work your way up.
“The best advice I've received from a colleague or mentor is ‘If opportunity doesn't knock, then you've got to build a door.’ If you feel like you're not getting somewhere, then you've got to make things happen. When I wasn't getting many writing opportunities, I started a website where I could write about technology news, called The Modems. Then I could prove that I was able to write, and show my portfolio of work to prospective employers.”
Ray confides that “When I was at school I felt so insecure about who I was as a person and how I presented. But rather than listening to the outside noise, you should remember that you just have to look within yourself. All of your experiences are already there for you to draw inspiration from.”
Lauren reiterates this, saying that “Growing up, I was always ‘the sporty friend’, so I was worried about what other people would think if I took myself out of that box and took an interest in fashion. It can be really overwhelming to be this small fish in a really big pond.
“But if it’s something you really want to do, you have to believe in yourself. Come armed with knowledge, try and be the best at whatever it is that you want to do. Know everything about the brand or publication you want to work for.”
Ray advises that “I started as a graphic designer, and taught myself in the pandemic. I started doing animation because I felt like that would get me a job the fastest, so sometimes you can take the back door.” And any sartorial words of wisdom? “Don't be afraid. Don’t be scared of an ugly outfit. Wear the weird things!”
Ray wears top from Siedres, shawl is stylists own, skirt from N21 by Alessandro Dell’Acqua and earrings from Vintage Christian Dior at susancaplan.co.uk . Lauren wears dress from Self Portrait, tights from Calzedonia and earrings from Julietta at KOIBIRD. Nat wears jacket and skirt from Louis Vuitton and earrings and cuff from Swarovksi
From far left: Nat wears jacket and trousers from Tom Ford, shoes from Gina, necklace from Swarovksi and earrings from susancaplan.co.uk. Hoodie and skirt from Tory Burch, earrings, necklace and bracelet all from Tilly Sveaas and boots from Giuseppe Zanotti. Jacket and skirt from Louis Vuitton, tights from Falke and earrings and cuff from Swarovksi
From far left: Lauren wears dress from Self Portrait, tights from Calzedonia, shoes from Neous and earrings from Julietta at KOIBIRD. Playsuit, jacket, turtleneck and tights all from Max Mara, shoes from Christian Louboutin and earrings from MAM Originals. Dress and bag from Celine, tights from Falke and earrings from Vintage Christian Dior at susancaplan.co.uk
From far left: Ray wears top from Siedres, shawl is stylists own, skirt from N21 by Alessandro Dell’Acqua, boots from Casadei and earrings from Vintage Christian Dior at susancaplan.co.uk. Dress from Rat & Boa, necklace from Chanel at susancaplan.co.uk, bracelets from Moschino and Boots from Kenzo. Dress, belt and boots all from Kenzo and earrings from SO-LE Studio
“I’m 5’7 so platforms and flares give me a bit of added height which makes me feel more confident when I walk into a meeting or a room where I might not know many people.
I also like collecting lots of vintage jewellery, they are almost like amulets at this point.
I do view my clothing as armour in some ways.”
"I do view my clothing as armour in some ways.”
Nat wears jacket from Louis Vuitton and earrings from Swarovski
A lightweight daily sunscreen with SPF50+ specifically formulated for sensitive skin types.
la roche-posay spf50+
Invisible fluid
A mattifying facial suncream with SPF50+ protection, designed for oily and breakout-prone skin types.
la roche-posay spf50+
Oil control fluid
A light, fluid sunscreen with high SPF and cutting-edge UV filters to safeguard your skin from sun damage.
la roche-posay spf50+
Invisible fluid tint
From matte to glow, find your perfect foundation and concealer match plus discover the full range of colour cosmetics in the Estée Lauder collection, available at Estée Lauder counters nationwide and on the Estée Lauder site.
From far left: Nat wears jacket and trousers from Tom Ford, shoes from Gina, necklace from Swarovksi and earrings from susancaplan.co.uk. Hoodie and skirt from Tory Burch, earrings, necklace and bracelet all from Tilly Sveaas and boots from Giuseppe Zanotti. Jacket and skirt from Louis Vuitton, tights from Falke and earrings and cuff from Swarovksi
“I'm constantly inspired by what I see my colleagues wearing. I love the fact that the
H! Fashion team all have really different personal styles. The most amazing part of my job is also seeing brilliant creative teams putting together looks for our shoots as it constantly gives you inspiration for what to wear, and that’s the really fun part of getting to do what I do.”
Social Media Manager Raymonda Jalloh has been with the team for seven months,
and shares “I use the word playful to describe my style because it encapsulates how much fun I like to have with my clothes. I don't really have an aesthetic that I stick to as I like to
mix texture, layers and colour.
“I take a lot of inspiration from the 1970s and 1990s because that's where a lot of my
vintage clothes are from. It's all about having as much fun as I can.”
"I do view my clothing as armour in some ways.”
Nat wears jacket from Louis Vuitton and earrings from Swarovski
From far left: Nat wears jacket and trousers from Tom Ford, shoes from Gina, necklace from Swarovksi and earrings from susancaplan.co.uk. Hoodie and skirt from Tory Burch, earrings, necklace and bracelet all from Tilly Sveaas and boots from Giuseppe Zanotti. Jacket and skirt from Louis Vuitton, tights from Falke and earrings and cuff from Swarovksi
Lauren agrees that “All of our aesthetics are completely different. I look to my team for inspiration, and think that I want to be a bit braver. We all inspire each other.”
Celebrating personal style is central to H! Fashion’s ethos, and as Ray says “I like having my mind changed and seeing a celebrity or influencer wearing a trend that I would have dismissed. But I'm never going to wear the thong boot or the hyper Y2K looks that are around, so it’s also about knowing your limits.”
Natalie adds “You can incorporate trends which still adhere to your personal style without having to completely change your look. I’m 34 and I know what suits me now, but it's fun once in a while to try things that I see that I might have never considered wearing. I wore low rise trousers recently at London Fashion Week which is something I never thought I’d do again in a million years… but they still felt like ‘me’”
"It can be really overwhelming to be this small fish in a really big pond"
Reflecting on their career trajectories, Natalie tells the intriguing story behind her arrival at H! Fashion. “Funnily enough, I was moving from Sweden where I was working at Vogue Scandinavia as Digital Editor.
“I got put in touch with the publisher of HELLO! through my friend Roxie Nafousi who is author of the Sunday Times bestselling book ‘Manifest’, as I was looking for a job at the time. The rest is history. I’d say that if you're ever looking for a job, it helps to have a friend who's a manifesting coach!”
Lauren landed her role shortly after graduating. “I did a Master's in Magazine journalism at City University, where Natalie had studied before me. She was looking for an online writer and there was contact with my university. They asked who had just graduated and who was interested in fashion, and here we are…”
Ray’s path saw her work in graphic design, as she built a burgeoning career on social media, now boasting 138K followers on Instagram and 1.4M likes on TikTok. “I did business management and marketing at Kent University, and while I was there I worked as a graphic designer at a fashion company.
“When I graduated I got a job at the luxury tech retailer Smartech. I was creating social content for them but also doing my own influencing on the side, putting together outfits, and running my own accounts. That made me realise I missed working in fashion so much, so when the Social Media Manager role was advertised I applied as it just made sense.”
From far left: Lauren wears dress from Self Portrait, tights from Calzedonia, shoes from Neous and earrings from Julietta at KOIBIRD. Playsuit, jacket, turtleneck and tights all from Max Mara, shoes from Christian Louboutin and earrings from MAM Originals. Dress and bag from Celine, tights from Falke and earrings from Vintage Christian Dior at susancaplan.co.uk
Lauren states that “For me, the most challenging part is having to wear so many hats at once. I feel like I've learned so much from being here. But sometimes there's not enough hours in a day because there is just so much to do and I want to do it to the best of my ability. No two days are the same, which is great, but there’s a lot to juggle.”
Lauren agrees that “All of our aesthetics are completely different. I look to my team for inspiration, and think that I want to be a bit braver. We all inspire each other.”
Celebrating personal style is central to H! Fashion’s ethos, and as Ray says “I like having my mind changed and seeing a celebrity or influencer wearing a trend that I would have dismissed. But I'm never going to wear the thong boot or the hyper Y2K looks that are around, so it’s also about knowing your limits.”
Natalie adds “You can incorporate trends which still adhere to your personal style without having to completely change your look. I’m 34 and I know what suits me now, but it's fun once in a while to try things that I see that I might have never considered wearing. I wore low rise trousers recently at London Fashion Week which is something I never thought I’d do again in a million years… but they still felt like ‘me’”
Reflecting on their career trajectories, Natalie tells the intriguing story behind her arrival at H! Fashion. “Funnily enough, I was moving from Sweden where I was working at Vogue Scandinavia as Digital Editor.
“I got put in touch with the publisher of HELLO! through my friend Roxie Nafousi who is author of the Sunday Times bestselling book ‘Manifest’, as I was looking for a job at the time. The rest is history. I’d say that if you're ever looking for a job, it helps to have a friend who's a manifesting coach!”
Lauren landed her role shortly after graduating. “I did a Master's in Magazine journalism at City University, where Natalie had studied before me. She was looking for an online writer and there was contact with my university. They asked who had just graduated and who was interested in fashion, and here we are…”
Ray’s path saw her work in graphic design, as she built a burgeoning career on social media, now boasting 138K followers on Instagram and 1.4M likes on TikTok. “I did business management and marketing at Kent University, and while I was there I worked as a graphic designer at a fashion company.
“When I graduated I got a job at the luxury tech retailer Smartech. I was creating social content for them but also doing my own influencing on the side, putting together outfits, and running my own accounts. That made me realise I missed working in fashion so much, so when the Social Media Manager role was advertised I applied as it just made sense.”
"It can be really overwhelming to be this small fish in a really big pond"
Lauren wears dress from Celine and earrings from Vintage Christian Dior at susancaplan.co.uk
From far left: Lauren wears dress from Self Portrait, tights from Calzedonia, shoes from Neous and earrings from Julietta at KOIBIRD. Playsuit, jacket, turtleneck and tights all from Max Mara, shoes from Christian Louboutin and earrings from MAM Originals. Dress and bag from Celine, tights from Falke and earrings from Vintage Christian Dior at susancaplan.co.uk
“The line between my life and work is really blurred now. What am I wearing today – is that content?”
“I’ve always loved Estée Lauder because my mother used it growing up. I find it very nostalgic. But also the packaging is just beautiful and timeless, and of course, the products speak for themselves. They're super reliable and long lasting, it's never let me down yet.”
Ray confides that “I have pretty oily skin, and the Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup SPF 10 Foundation sits natural matte, so I haven’t had to worry about touch ups. My complexion looks flawless, but the makeup doesn’t feel heavy.”
From far left: Ray wears top from Siedres, shawl is stylists own, skirt from N21 by Alessandro Dell’Acqua, boots from Casadei and earrings from Vintage Christian Dior at susancaplain.co.uk. Dress from Rat & Boa, necklace from Chanel at susancaplan.co.uk, bracelets from Moschino and Boots from Kenzo. Dress, belt and boots all from Kenzo and earrings from SO-LE Studio
“We’re going for a drink after the shoot as we don’t want to waste this makeup!” Lauren laughs. “I’ve loved the Double Wear Smooth & Blur Primer today, and the makeup artist has shown me the perfect way to do my eyebrows using the Brow Multitasker.”
Moonlighting as our cover models, does the team feel pressured to look like the stars we feature? “I don’t, because I know how much goes on work goes into it” Lauren states.
“It takes a village, whether it's the people doing the makeup, fixing the hair, or the stylist making sure that everything looks perfect on set, and the photographer lighting and retouching the images. The crews are all professionals, whereas 90% of people are not professional makeup artists.”
Sharing how her approach to beauty has changed, she continues “Perhaps it’s a gradual shift as you get older, but now I prefer to focus on my skincare over makeup. If the base is prepped and it feels good, then like the rest sorts itself out. I always apply Estée Lauder's Advanced Night Repair Serum, and then I use a sheer layer of foundation and some mascara. A lip gloss is always important and I do my eyebrows. I’m a five-minute makeup girl.”
Ray agrees, telling that “My relationship with makeup has changed so much. When I first started using it, when I was 15, it’d be to conceal things about myself that I felt insecure about. But now as I’ve gotten older, I’m more in tune with my features, and I know what works for me.
“I feel like I'm having a lot more fun with it now, and experimenting. I really like blue mascara and trying different eyeshadows, whether they’re sparkly or wet look. Working on shoots I'm always intrigued to see what the makeup artists are using, and I enjoy trying out new products for social media.”
Having assembled her team at H! Fashion, what advice does Natalie have for those aspiring to work in the media? “I'd really encourage people who want to get into journalism to explore doing a Masters degree because it gives you a really solid foundation of media law,
and a good training.
I'd also suggest interning at your local paper or radio station. People have this vision that straight away they need to work at a high-profile or national magazine, but that’s not really how most people's careers go. Start small and work your way up.
“The best advice I've received from a colleague or mentor is ‘If opportunity doesn't knock, then you've got to build a door.’ If you feel like you're not getting somewhere, then you've got to make things happen. When I wasn't getting many writing opportunities, I started a website where I could write about technology news, called The Modems. Then I could prove that I was able to write, and show my portfolio of work to prospective employers.”
Ray confides that “When I was at school I felt so insecure about who I was as a person and how I presented. But rather than listening to the outside noise, you should remember that you just have to look within yourself. All of your experiences are already there for you to draw inspiration from.”
Lauren reiterates this, saying that “Growing up, I was always ‘the sporty friend’, so I was worried about what other people would think if I took myself out of that box and took an interest in fashion. It can be really overwhelming to be this small fish in a really big pond.
“But if it’s something you really want to do, you have to believe in yourself. Come armed with knowledge, try and be the best at whatever it is that you want to do. Know everything about the brand or publication you want to work for.”
Ray advises that “I started as a graphic designer, and taught myself in the pandemic. I started doing animation because I felt like that would get me a job the fastest, so sometimes you can take the back door.” And any sartorial words of wisdom? “Don't be afraid. Don’t be scared of an ugly outfit. Wear the weird things!”