The Korean-American influencer is creating a supportive online community and building a business empire by opening up about difficult topics with her followers like never before
It has been six years since Chriselle Lim last visited Kuala Lumpur. To say much has changed about both the city and the person would be an understatement. When we last met her, the LA-based fashion and beauty influencer was in her early thirties and expecting her first daughter, Chloe. It was the beginning of her journey in reclaiming the self and drawing boundaries between her private and public life.
Now 37, divorced and a mother of two, Lim has come out on the other side of the pandemic more confident than she’s ever been.
There is a certain irony that her six million followers on Instagram and TikTok have gotten to know her much better since she began sharing less on social media. That is not to say Lim has gone dark. Far from it, Lim is still active on social media. But without the pressure of constant updates, there has been a noticeable shift of tone in her content.
See also: Fashion and Lifestyle Influencer Chriselle Lim on Parenting in the Spotlight
She is still one of the most prominent influencers in the fashion and beauty industry, curating beautiful content and covering the most exclusive fashion shows around the world as she has done since her early days as a blogger under The Chriselle Factor.
But for the first time, we are getting a glimpse of the woman behind the ‘exotic travels and fancy wardrobe’ and she is playful, carefree and not afraid to make fun of herself.
Sitting down with Tatler for an in-person interview at The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur, Lim reflects on how much she has changed in the last decade.
Related: What is Chriselle Lim's Secret to Achieving Great Skin?
How do you think your style has developed in different stages of your life?
When I first started, I was a broke college student. I couldn't afford most of the designer luxury items. I naturally wanted to put together looks that were a little glam and over the top. I wasn't very confident back then; I wanted to show that I belonged.
Now that I'm in my late 30s, I'm a lot more comfortable with myself. This shoot was a great reflection of my personal style—casual chic! I love elevating a classic, simple outfit with statement jewellery pieces, like chunky rings and stacked necklaces, or a pair of sunglasses.
Are there any looks that you regret?
Sometimes I'd rather not remember the first decade of my career. I would really dress things up. More was more back then—and we always needed sparkle (laughs)! I wish some of my fashion week outfits never existed but it's fun to look back on and nice to see how much I've grown.
