INGRID CHUA-GO

INTERNATIONAL FASHION BLOGGER

I HAD HEARD OF AND READ ABOUT THE BAG HAG A FEW TIMES

BEFORE but had never met the woman behind the popular blog until a press junket in Bali, Indonesia. Ingrid Chua-Go and I sat next to each other on the plane. She had just arrived from a 16-hour flight from Scotland and jumped from one plane to another. It was hard to believe that this person, who frequents Paris, Milan and London fashion week, rubs elbows with distinguished designers, like Katrantzou and Cavalli, attends private collection viewings of luxury brands, like Hermès, Gucci and Tod’s, is so down-toearth. In the world of fashion and cyberspace, Ingrid (a Smart Move ambassasor), is considered somewhat a celebrity. But before she forged a career in fashion, Ingrid was first a journalist. Ingrid worked for CNN Hong Kong and then moved back to the Philippines. Meanwhile, she decided to start a personal blog about her other love— bags. She left publishing in 2007 and chose to pursue blogging full-time.

Since then, The Bag Hag Diaries has grown into something more than just a website about bags. It now offers features on clothes, shoes, accessories and even lifestyle entries on dining and travel. And with this influx of online media journalists and style bloggers, how was Ingrid able to catch the attention of a worldwide audience? Easy. She’s loud and unafraid to speak her mind; her humor (often self-deprecating) is refreshing; she’s unaffected by media attention; and we just love how a good bargain still excites her. In the eight years she’s been in the blogosphere, Ingrid has collaborated with international names, like Dolce & Gabbana. She has also appeared in several international titles, like Vogue (España, France, Italia, UK) and Elle UK. Today, Ingrid Chua-Go still documents her adventures in and out of the fashion world through Thebaghagdiaries.com, launched a Manila-centric blog called Manila social diary. com and contributes for the Facebook page of Harrods of London, Luisaviaroma.com, The Huffington Post-UK and the Philippine Daily Inquirer.