Alicia Flipo, influencer from Lille, is a hit on social networks

Alicia Flipo has conquered Instagram with her DIY, decoration and porcelain painting videos. In one year, the young woman exceeded 200,000 subscribers. We met her in her house, full of colors and fun objects.

Slippers on your feet, round glasses on your nose, a bun on your head and a colorful sweater – red, orange, green, blue. Alicia Flipo, 30, opens the door to her house in Wattignies, a welcoming smile on her lips. Here, objects each crazier than the last: teapots in the shape of funny ladies, cups in the shape of breasts and even a lobster, framed in the middle of the living room.

Alicia describes herself as “flea market finder, doubtful in DIY [do it yourself, NDLR] and porcelain painter”. This content creator, with a community of 200,000 subscribers on Instagram and 130,000 on TikTok, has made her passion her profession. “Every day, I say to myself: what am I going to do today?’”, she laughs.

For Alicia, life is punctuated by her desires and ideas. Latest creations: a wall dotted with disco balls and coasters engraved with her image and that of her lover. As soon as a project emerges in her head, she throws herself wholeheartedly into it. “When she decides to do something, she puts it into action straight away, it’s very nice.”, testifies Guillaume, his companion. A go-getter, full of imagination… And above all, “solar”, testifies the one who appreciates living in the constant change instilled by Alicia.

His adventure began on YouTube ten years ago. She launches her channel, on which she does “DIY” – understand: she makes, tinkers and customizes different objects. Vases, frames, an old radio, etc. “I was passionate about creating and sharing stuff”, she explains. His activity on the Internet remained confined to the rank of hobby for years.

I felt that when I did something a little crazy in my house, people were happy.

Alicia Flipo

content creator

In 2020, just before the Covid-19 crisis, she resigned from her job as a graphic designer. During confinement, her community grew a little, as she took over her mother’s activity as a porcelain painter – creativity runs in the family. “JI started telling all the behind-the-scenes stories about craftsmanship”, she explains. “I felt that people were on edge!” Little by little, she is more and more followed – until reaching 30,000 subscribers in 2023.

Also read >>> “I would like to encourage as many people as possible to do the same”: Aya, the TikToker with a million subscribers who helps the homeless

In the summer of 2023, she bought a house with her partner. They moved there, with their two children aged four and one – humorously nicknamed “DIY 1” and “DIY 2” on Alicia’s social networks. In this newly acquired home, projects follow one another, ideas flow. Renovate the kitchen, make shelves, create a pretty terrace: there’s plenty to do. She films and shares everything. So obviously, his Instagram account explodes. “I felt that when I did something a little crazy in my house, people were happy”, she laughs. More than 170,000 additional people follow her in the space of a year, bringing her number of followers to 210,000.

“MI work on social networks like an amusement park“, she explains. There is no shortage of attractions here: porcelain, flea markets, various crafts… “And the new star ride: the house!“

From now on, Alicia makes her living mainly from her activity on the networks. It is represented by an influence agency, which takes care of managing its commercial collaborations: with Leroy Merlin, Engie and even Zalando. “I try to work with brands that make sense, because I don’t want to be a walking billboard”, specifies the designer. “My Instagram community is really my little babies. She’s counting on me!“No question of disappointing. Alicia always puts pressure on herself “a little stressed” when posting a paid partnership video.

I continue painting on porcelain because I love it. For me, craftsmanship has a lot of value, it is my heart’s work.

Alicia Flipo

content creator

With this new job, she manages to pay herself around 3,500 euros net per month – a much more comfortable salary than when her income came solely from her activity as a painter. Enough to support the small family, repay the house loan. “I continue painting on porcelain because I love it. For me, craftsmanship has a lot of value, it’s my heart’s work”, says Alicia.

Her daily life no longer resembles that which she had when she was still an employee. While her oldest is at school and her youngest is with the nanny, Alicia works from home. “In the morning, I paint my porcelain and I go live on Twitch”, she explains. She spends half her day in her workshop, in the attic. Here, a mess of cardboard boxes, illustrations, butt-shaped cups – decorated with little hand-painted red hearts. In the afternoon, she implements her various projects, films herself, and manages her social networks. Between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., “it’s the race”, as for all mothers. Pick up the kids, dinner, bath, bed.

His job has its advantages, including flexibility. But she also experiences the other side of the coin. “I’m so happy to do my own planning… But I can’t disconnect from work”, she specifies. Content creation is every day. Disappear to take a weekend vacation? Not possible. “So I even take my community on vacation!”

Also read >>> Stories of murders, kidnappings… With nearly 2 million subscribers, Picardy YouTuber McSkyz fascinates Internet users

Above all, the young woman deplores a certain feeling of isolation: “We suffer a little from loneliness on social networks”, she admits. “It’s funny because we’re followed by lots of people and my community is super engaged, I have crazy support… But from time to time we need a real friend!”Her friends have moved to the four corners of France and she works from home. So she is relieved to find a new social life with her children. Her nanny has become one of her best friends and she meets the students’ parents: “It opens a new world to me!”

It’s funny because we’re followed by lots of people and my community is super engaged, I have crazy support… But from time to time we need a real friend!

Alicia Flipo

content creator

Despite this solitude inherent to her job, Alicia makes sure to stay “the good friend” of its subscribers on the networks. “I make vocals, I respond to everyone”, she explains. “I am grateful and I play the game to the fullest.” She is keen to give what she receives and has chosen to only reveal her good sides. “On social networks, I am a character… That I created with all my qualities multiplied by a thousand.“No room in his account for little slacks, annoyance due to a DIY that doesn’t work:”I don’t show everything!”

In any case, she assures us, she “play the game thoroughly” to entertain its subscribers. “My job fascinates me”, enthuses Alicia. The influencer wants to continue to evolve in her work and intends “create something great”. Ultimately, her dream would be to open a place where she could “meet people for real” and where she would offer creative workshops.