Interviews

The Interview —

Emily Herren, Founder of Champagne and Chanel

Founder of Champagne and Chanel

Welcome to Talking Top 10, a recurring series in which we feature the founders, CEOs, creators, and leaders who are shaking up their industries. Ahead, read our Q&A with Emily Herren, and keep scrolling to shop her Top 10 must-haves.

Emily Herren is the founder of Champagne and Chanel, a fashion and beauty blog founded in 2016. During her senior year of college at Texas A&M, Emily decided to follow her dreams and launch www.champagnenandchanel.com. A quick four and a half years later, she has turned her passion project into a successful business and has grown her audience to over a million followers. Emily loves putting together chic outfits that the everyday girl can achieve without breaking the bank! 

Be sure to keep up with Emily by following her on Instagram!

September 14, 2020

FacebookPinterest logoTwitter logoEmail icon

Interviews and Articles make it easy to learn more about the products that top our lists, what’s currently trending, and the leaders who inspire us. We are reader-supported and may earn a commission when you shop through our links.

R&S

Tell us a little bit about Champagne and Chanel. What inspired you to start your blog?

Emily

I started Champagne & Chanel my senior year of college as a creative outlet. I have always loved putting outfits together and finding the best beauty products, so I thought I’d share those aspects of my life on Instagram. I had no clue that later it would turn into a successful business and my full time job! 

R&S

What are some of the biggest challenges you faced while building your blog into what it is today? How did you overcome them?

Emily

One of the biggest challenges I faced was learning my self worth and developing negotiation skills. I was fresh out of college when I started landing brand deals and I was not good at negotiating campaigns. It took some time for me to learn the business aspect of influencer marketing, but once I gained more experience and confidence my business grew exponentially. 

View Emily's Essentials

R&S

What does a day-in-the-life of Emily Herren look like?

Emily

I start my day by looking at my content calendar and determining what campaigns need to be accomplished. I read over content briefs and contracts to ensure all obligations are fulfilled properly. A big part of my day is filming Instagram stories, which is anything from a try-on session to a makeup tutorial. Either mid morning or late afternoon, I attend an Orangetheory Fitness class, which is crucial for my physical and mental health. I spend the remainder of my day shooting/filming campaigns, answering questions via DM, and attending any meetings I have for that day. After work is done, I love spending time with my fiancé and my two pups! 

R&S

Give us the lowdown on your all-time favorite places to shop. What retailers and brands appear on your blog the most?

Emily

If I could only shop at one store for the rest of my life, it would have to be Nordstrom. They carry all of my favorite brands (Free People, Madewell, WAYF, ect.), have an amazing shoe selection, and carry the best beauty brands. It truly is a one-stop-shop! 

R&S

What are the most treasured items in your closet?

Emily

A good white bodysuit that can be paired with anything, my favorite distressed denim jacket (good for every season), and a comfortable pair of nude heels (the Sam Edelman Odila’s are the BEST). 

Good American Good Legs Crop Jeans

Good American Good Legs Crop Jeans

Buy Now

R&S

If you could only use three beauty products for the rest of your life, what would they be?

Emily

Give us your holy grails. The Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Concealer (seriously the best concealer I’ve ever used), Bobbi Brown Liquid Lip Crush (is very hydrating & looks good over any lipstick), and Olaplex no.3 hair mask to keep my hair strong and healthy. 

R&S

What’s your favorite way to practice self-care?

Emily

Working out at Orangetheory is by far the best thing I do for my body and mind. It’s such a great stress reliever and builds confidence. In the words of Elle Woods, “Exercise gives endorphins. Endorphins make you happy!”. 

R&S

If someone were to visit Austin for just one day, where would you recommend they go? Tell us your ideal ATX itinerary.

Emily

I would start with brunch at Josephine House because they have a great patio, farm-to-table food, and delicious cocktails. Then I would go paddle boarding at Ladybird Lake (an Austin staple). If paddle boarding isn’t your thing, go to Zilker Park and enjoy the beautiful views of Austin (and lots of dogs!!). Lastly, grab a spicy margarita and dinner at ATX Cocina downtown! 

R&S

What advice would you give to someone who’s hoping to start their own blog?

Emily

First off, I know there are a ton of influencers in the space, but there is truly room for everyone. If you are super passionate about something (could be fashion, fitness, home decor, etc.), and you are willing to put in the work, you can succeed. Post consistently, be authentic, and build trust with your audience. 

R&S

What can we expect next from you and Champagne and Chanel?

Emily

I’m so excited to announce that a collection I designed with my best friend, Dede Raad, is launching with WAYF at Nordstrom on September 15th! This has been something that Dede and I have been working on for almost a year so I can’t wait for it to hit the stores. 

View All Top 10 Lists
Arrow white

The Latest

Model and Founder/CEO of Bumpsuit, Erth Jewelry, and Erth Swim

interviews

Nicole Trunfio

Model and Founder/CEO of Bumpsuit, Erth Jewelry, and Erth Swim

View All Interviews
arrow

From Our Partners

Image credits: truskin

TruSkin

Shop TruSkin's Age Defying Trio today on Amazon!

Shop Now

Arrow white

Straight-to-the-point emails to make finding what you love even easier.