PEOPLE
Laura Tobón, with her unique charisma, conquered the world
Get to know this artist who brings much of Colombian culture to the world and the details of her routine, life, and career.
Wallace Rezende
Laura Tobón, Colombian, host of The Voice Colombia and globetrotter. She has a really fun personality, and in a way, she’s one of those people who, even from a distance, already evokes a sense of empathy—the clear idea that a dinner with her is pleasant and enjoyable. And that is exactly what you will notice in this interview: Laura opens up to us, shares a series of facts about her life, about what makes her happy, showing herself as more than a media icon, but also an inspiration.
LM: TV host, Colombian, globetrotter, fashion enthusiast. That’s how you’re defined on your IG. But aside from what you do professionally, which words would describe you, Laura?
LT: Fun, persevering, and dreamy.
LM: As a communicator, you have to deal with language and all its uses, right? How do you work it out? Books? Documentaries? Series? How do you flex your brain?
LT: Lately I’ve been absolutely obsessed with podcasts; they are how I nourish my mind and soul these days. It’s a really cool practice.
LM: How did the idea of Sea Salt Swimwear come about?
LT: I’ve always loved the world of beachwear fashion. For years I modeled for different brands. In the end, during the pandemic I decided to join some renowned Colombian designers (Mercedes Salazar, Catalina Zuluaga, Pily Queipo) and my husband, Alvaro, to create our own brand. Sea Salt is a sustainable way to achieve that casual, effortless, and chic look at the beach.
LM: Also a bit about Sea Salt—we know it’s a conscious brand from Colombia. Do you infuse the concept of slow fashion and other sustainability initiatives into your day-to-day?
LT: As an influencer I have a great responsibility to my followers. I love talking about fashion, but also about how our planet is vitally important—indispensable for all our lives. You can see in my posts that circular fashion is a big part of my everyday life. In my fashion content I always try to include the three R’s: reduce, reuse, and recycle.
LM: You said that having more babies is something that’s in your plans. How many children do you intend to have?
LT: I would love to give Lucca a little sister. I’ve always dreamed of having two babies; let’s see how life surprises me.
LM: You are a mother and a fashion icon. We know the industry isn’t necessarily a symbol of inclusion for pregnant bodies. Has that reality changed? In the months of pregnancy, how did you choose your day-to-day looks?
LT: Having my baby is the greatest blessing of my life, but let’s be honest, pregnancy isn’t easy. I gained almost 30 kg and my body underwent a big transformation. When I found out I was pregnant, I was hosting The Voice Colombia. With my styling team, we learned to dress my new body and my belly. Once you get used to your new body, it’s easier to find amazing options to wear.
LM: Here, we love a good romantic story. How did you and your husband meet?
LT: I was working as a journalist at a national news channel for 7 years. I was live at a Colombian music festival that Álvaro was participating in; he couldn’t stop looking at me while I was presenting. It was love at first sight. Later, his sister gave him my phone number and after the festival he asked me out.
LM: A perfect day for you starts with…?
LT: Coffee, exercise, and a nice hot shower with Lucca
LM: Looking at your Instagram, we can definitely see that you love music, parties, and dancing, right? What type of music is your favorite?
LT: As a true Colombian, I love reggaeton, but also, since high school, I’ve been obsessed with indie and pop music. I try to create different playlists with a wide variety of genres that I like, so I can enjoy a bit of everything in an eclectic way.
LM: What is fashion to you? Is it a statement? A way to show what’s on the inside? A communication tool? What is fashion for Laura Tobón?
LT: For me, fashion can mean many things. It’s a way to express your personality and emotions. It can change and evolve throughout your life. It can also help me as a tool to feel more confident and empowered. I love to have fun with it and explore different styles. Over the years, I have come to understand fashion as much more than just clothing.
Now, a quick Q&A:
– What’s the worst piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Focus on your own path instead of others
– 5 fashion icons (old and new)
Virgil Abloh, Maria Grazia Chiuri, Blake Lively, Virginie Viard, and Johanna Ortiz
– What do you love about yourself?
As a true Capricorn, I love the fact that I never stop until I reach my goals
– What book changed your life and why?
The book that changed my life is the one I wrote in 2016. It was very important not only for the themes it covered but also for the experience of writing it.
– What food makes you feel at home?
A Colombian dish called ajiaco.
– The best restaurant in Colombia?
Ideal
– The best way to travel?
By plane to discover new places
Highlights:
– I love talking about fashion, but also about how our planet is very important, indispensable for all our lives.
– Sea Salt is a sustainable way to achieve that casual, effortless, and chic look at the beach.
– When I found out I was pregnant, I was hosting The Voice Colombia. With my styling team, we learned how to dress my new body and my belly. Once you get used to your new body, it’s easier to find amazing options to wear.
