Influencer Session with Laurent Sebastien

Socially Powerful interviewed fashion blogger and influencer Laurent Sebastien (@laurensebastianofficial) who splits his time between The Netherlands and Paris. Laurent has grown his Instagram following to over 100K by showcasing his lifestyle that blends fashion, fitness, and luxury. His journey began as a model, and he pivoted to sharing more personal content and creative looks over time. Laurent aims to create a platform where followers can shop his outfits and possibly launch his own fashion line. He focuses on authenticity and providing valuable content with his unique style. Laurent sees influencer marketing continuing to evolve and become more reality-based.

Laurent Sebastien @laurensebastianofficial

Today, we caught up with Laurent Sebastian, a fashion blogger who splits his time between The Netherlands and Paris. He’s currently 25 years old and has built up a following of over 100K on Instagram, here’s what he had to say!

Tell us about you, your background and how you came to start on social media?

My name is Laurent Sebastian and I’m 25 years old. I studied IBS which gave me many opportunities to travel and get to know different cultures. Besides this, I always have been a fashion model which gave me an inside look at the fashion world and actually got my biggest passion.

People always told me I have a photogenetic face and a great taste of fashion. This made me realize that I should do some more self-branding on social media years ago. I started on Instagram with some portraits and basic modelling photos until I realized that I should make it a lifestyle concept.

Why not involve every aspect of your life in it, to give it a trustable look instead of the picture perfect images. So it began.

Tell us about what you do on your social channels?

On my social media channels, I post many things, like fashion, fitness, travel and luxury. I’m personally more focused on lifestyle which is easier as I can express all different aspects of my life in it.

I create detailed content, portraits and total looks. I’ve worked with many luxury fashion brands. Hotels, gadgets and beauty products are in it as well. I own a drone and Canon camera which allows me to shoot on HD.

How often do you post and update your audience? What content works best for you?

I mostly post either once a day or a post in 2 days. I am active with Instastories as well.  Full body and portrait content work best.

When did you first start seeing you were building a following? What did it feel like?

I think 2 years ago. I am involved in many fashion circles in Paris and the Netherlands which are both my home base. In Paris, I got to know many celebrities and go to style them besides my appearances on Paris Fashion weeks which are known as the best besides New York fashion week. I got so many compliments and opportunities ( still) to network with many people that my growth got started from that point.

What are your ambitions with your social channels? Where do you want to take it?

My ambitions are to still grow of course. I do want to make it a big platform where you can find all outfits and where you will have the opportunity to shop the looks. In short, I’m already a brand and I want to keep on working with partners and perhaps create an own fashion line one day or a specific item in partnership with a brand.

If you could work with any brand in the world, who would you choose and why?

Balmain  – For it’s daring and elegant styles ( the next generation of fashion)

Mercedes – As I’m always a fan of their technology ahead

Louis Vuitton – I own many products of them and it would so cool to shoot products for them one day.

Who’s an influencer you admire most and why?

@marianodivaio – He started as a model and he builds an empire after this campaign with help of his social media channels. The other thing I like about him is that he keeps his own style with filters and photos. I see to many guys copy and pasting their content with shots and filters. Just be daring and show your true self.

How do you think the influencer marketing industry will change in the next year?

I think influencer marketing is making big steps the next year. The times of big marketing campaigns will disappear. Influencer marketing is cheaper for brands and has a bigger reach for them. It also shows more reality aspects in it, that people are actually using certain products or service. I think the last 2 years were just the start of a bigger thing.

What relationship do you have with your followers? How do you engage with them?

I have a great engagement with my followers. We like and comment each other as I think a given factor is important. We are all there to support each other. And I can learn from my followers as I sometimes ask them what they rather see or don’t see. It helps you to keep trigger them.

How would you say you’re different to other influencers in your space? What do you look for that others don’t?

As I said I show my style and not the commercial style which others things is an example.

Is this something you do full-time? If no, what else do you do?

I do make a living with social media as I only do paid partnerships. Besides this, I’m also a content manager for companies who need help with growing their social media.

What do you enjoy most about social media?

Social media to me is a way to express myself and get to know many people from all over the world and actually meet them. Social media made me realize the world is actually smaller than you think.

What do you enjoy least about social media?

I think some in this world is to busy being perfect and make others depressed about their selves.

What’s the toughest thing about running your own social media? What’s the best?

The toughest thing is that you really have to be on it and actually spend a lot of time with catching up on everything. The best thing is that I daily get many compliments or questions about the things I wear.

Tell us one thing people might not know about you?

I do workout 5 days a week and I am a personal trainer. But I just don’t feel like posting about this to much. The other thing that I really like to do is golfing never posted something on social media.

What do your friends think about your life as an influencer?

They really build up respect for me as I started from scratch and everyone was laughing at me when I told them years ago that this will be something big.

Now they saw how much work it actually takes to engage or create great content they fully love to see me having so much passion in this business. They also think its very cool as I got to work with many brands etc.

Can you give any advice to people looking to start their own Instagram, YouTube etc? How can they stand out from the crowd?

I think people should just do whatever they feel like doing. Just be you and if you have a passion for fashion or makeup or sports or all of it. Just show your passion for it and post about it.

Nobody told you that you can’t and please don’t watch too much what others do. I think we all know what is smart to post about your private life or not to post.

Where can people follow you?

www.instagram.com/laurensvangent