Laura Hampson is Deputy Lifestyle Editor at The Independent, where she leads coverage of luxury travel, beauty innovation, and cultural trends. With a career spanning bridal journalism at Cosmopolitan to royal wedding reporting for Evening Standard, she combines rigorous research with accessible storytelling.
“Whitney Houston’s ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’ is the ultimate get-people-on-the-dance-floor tune.” – Hampson on crafting celebratory narratives
Awarded Journalist of the Year at the 2018 Venus Awards, Hampson’s work balances trendspotting with societal analysis, making her a trusted voice in lifestyle media.
Laura Hampson’s career began in Sydney, where she honed her skills at Cosmopolitan Bride, laying the foundation for her expertise in weddings and lifestyle journalism. Her transition to London in 2016 marked a pivotal shift toward travel and cultural reporting, with bylines in Glamour, BA High Life, and Evening Standard. At The Independent, she now leads coverage on evolving lifestyle trends, blending her passion for storytelling with a sharp eye for detail.
“Planning a wedding can be overwhelming, so be sure to remember that it’s your day. Do things the way you want to.” – Laura Hampson on balancing tradition with personal choice
This comprehensive travel guide showcases Hampson’s ability to curate luxury experiences across budgets. She evaluates resorts like Soneva Jani’s overwater villas and Conrad Maldives’ underwater suite, emphasizing sustainability practices and cultural authenticity. The piece blends practical advice (packing tips for island-hopping) with aspirational storytelling, reflecting her knack for making high-end travel accessible. By interviewing local staff and highlighting eco-friendly initiatives, she adds layers of social responsibility to the narrative.
Hampson demystifies at-home beauty technology in this review, testing the Philips Lumea Prestige against clinical standards. She documents her 12-week journey with before-and-after metrics, addressing pain points like skin sensitivity and long-term cost savings. The article stands out for its balanced approach—celebrating innovation while cautioning readers about realistic expectations. Her inclusion of dermatologist interviews adds medical credibility, a hallmark of her beauty reporting.
Exploring the resurgence of heart motifs, Hampson traces the trend from Tudor-era lockets to Beyoncé’s Ivy Park collaborations. She interviews designers like Jessica McCormack, who credits the shift to “post-pandemic optimism,” and contrasts luxury pieces with high-street alternatives. The analysis extends beyond aesthetics, linking the trend to broader cultural movements like body positivity and gender-fluid design.
Hampson prioritizes emerging technologies that bridge wellness and beauty, such as LED therapy masks or AI-driven skincare apps. A successful pitch might highlight a startup using biodegradable materials in sunscreen, paired with clinical trial data. For example, her coverage of peptide-based skincare (Evening Standard) emphasized both efficacy and sustainability, a dual angle that appeals to her editorial lens.
Avoid generic hotel listings. Instead, propose stories that examine how high-end resorts engage with local communities. Her Maldives feature wove in interviews with Maldivian marine biologists, illustrating how tourism revenue funds coral restoration. Pitches should highlight unique partnerships, like a safari lodge collaborating with Indigenous guides.
Hampson often explores how beauty standards reflect societal shifts, such as her analysis of gender-neutral fragrance lines. A pitch about a brand reformulating products for menopause-related skin changes would align with her interest in lifecycle inclusivity. Include expert quotes from dermatologists or sociologists to elevate the narrative.
Recognized for her coverage of Meghan Markle’s wedding, Hampson’s reporting blended fashion analysis with commentary on modern monarchy. The Venus Awards celebrate women in media who challenge industry norms, underscoring her ability to reframe traditional topics through a contemporary lens.
This nomination highlighted her pandemic-era work, including a Culture Trip series on virtual travel experiences. Judges praised her “adaptive storytelling” in capturing lockdown trends like balcony gardening and at-home spa rituals.
From a resort on a private island to the world’s first underwater hotel room: The definitive guide to where to stay in the Maldives
This powerful IPL hair removal device promises a 98% hair reduction in just four weeks
No longer a fashion faux pas: Heart-shaped jewellery is back in a major way
At PressContact, we aim to help you discover the most relevant journalists for your PR efforts. If you're looking to pitch to more journalists who write on Lifestyle, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant:
