British influencer Lucy Williams is one of the most stylish women on the fashion circuit. With a 370,000-strong Instagram following, an astute eye and wildly popular collaborations under her belt, she’s at the vanguard of social media. But behind the picture-perfect grid, Lucy battles the comparison trap like the rest of us.
We meet in London’s Soho, the backdrop for ELLE's street style shoot. Lucy's warm and unassuming, chatting about her new love (a rescue puppy called Finn) while combing through pieces from Mango’s autumn/winter 2018 collection.
The brightly coloured knits, '70s inspired animal print and off-beat checks are the perfect accompaniment, especially since the Spanish brand’s new campaign is all about personal ties and togetherness. As we admire the pieces, Lucy discusses her celebrated style and how a close female network has shaped her success.
‘I never intended to become ‘an influencer’. It was eight years ago when I first launched Fashion Me Now. I was working in magazines and would put images from my shoots or outfits from fashion week on the blog. But I would be mortified if anyone discovered it. At first, it was my dirty little secret.’
‘I’ve been my own boss for four years now and it really suits me. I’m lucky that the nature of my job means I’m always working with people, so I never feel too isolated. There’s always someone to collaborate with, or to have a meeting with, or go on trips with. I’ve made so many real-life friends through connecting over mutual interests.’
‘Negative comments are an inevitable side-effect of living your life online, so you have to be strict with yourself. If you’re going down an unconstructive slope, remember that you don’t have to be online. Put your phone down. Get outside. Have a drink at the pub with a real-life friend.’