At Muse of My Own, we celebrate women who inspire us not just through style, but through the lives they’ve built and the choices they’ve made along the way. Mia McGrath, the girl behind Frugal Chic, is one of them.
Born in China and adopted into a British family in the early 2000s, Mia has grown up with a story full of resilience, self-discovery, and determination. Today, she’s known for her frugal chic lifestyle, smart approach to money, and creative career as a content creator. We sat down with Mia to talk about her journey - from her beginnings, to her career in fashion, to how she’s carving out her own path today.
Your Beginnings
You were born in China and grew up in the UK, which is such a unique journey. Could you share a little bit of your story with us - how you came to the UK?
I was adopted by British parents in the early 2000s and brought to the UK. I don’t know why I was abandoned, but it could have been due to the one-child policy. I don’t wish to find my birth parents, as I have an amazing relationship with my adopted ones. Growing up, I was one of the only Southeast Asian kids in primary school, so I did feel different. But in my 20s, I’ve really learned to love myself.
Do you ever find yourself reflecting on the “what ifs” what life might have looked like if you had grown up in China instead?
Yes, if I had stayed in China, it’s likely I could have remained in the care system, been married off, or fallen into a bad situation. I am incredibly lucky to have been adopted - especially by a loving family.
Education & Early Career
You studied Fashion Management at Nottingham Trent and also worked as a model. What was your life and career like before becoming a full-time content creator? What drew you to the world of fashion?
I did some modelling on and off in my late teens and early twenties. I never made a massive amount from it—it was more of a hobby or side hustle. I was scouted via Instagram but had done some work prior. It was fun, and I did it while on my placement year. At uni, I studied Fashion Management, which was really great. It was nice to go away from London to experience independent living.
Working in fashion was tough—it’s not as glamorous as people think. It’s actually a lot of manual labour: boxes, samples, hauling clothes to and from Paris. It taught me so much, though, and I’m very grateful.
And what were the biggest lessons you took from your model times?
The biggest lessons I took: you have to stand up for yourself and not be a people-pleaser. If you don’t establish your own worth, people will assign it for you. You have to graft and put in the work to be promoted fast—be willing to do what others won’t.
Content Creation & Career Shift
How did content creation first begin for you — was it something you started just for fun, or did you always see it as a possible path?
I started content for fun! I never thought I’d make a living from it. I had no clue what to charge brands either—for a while, I had 50,000+ followers and was still charging £100 for a video, haha.
Was there a moment when you realized, this is really taking off? Now that it’s become your focus, how do you approach content creation as a business?
It started really taking off again when I began advocating for myself, becoming more skilled, and learning more about the industry. It’s not just “making little videos”—you have to be a copywriter, videographer, and everything all in one.
Career-wise, I hope I can put more meaningful things out, not just 60-second vids. I’m trying to diversify into long-form content like YouTube and Substack.
Style & Jewelry
Your style feels very much like your philosophy — thoughtful, chic, and timeless. How would you describe it in your own words?
I try to consume as little as I can to build a signature style—when you wear the same thing all the time, it starts to become a uniform. I am all about quality over quantity.
We recently saw you in our Oval Earrings, and they look amazing on you. What do you look for in jewelry, and what role does it play in your everyday style?
I don’t wear too much jewellery, but when I do, I choose a few key pieces that are solid gold so they won’t tarnish.
Advice & Reflections
If you could go back and give advice to your younger self — maybe the Mia just starting uni — what would you say?
If I could go back and give advice to my younger self—maybe the Mia just starting uni—I’d say:
- Life’s too short to be insecure. One day you’ll look back on your late teens and early 20s and just wish you loved yourself more.
- No one cares—do the outrageous thing, live a little, be brave. People are too busy thinking about themselves.
- Stand up for yourself, don’t be a people-pleaser, advocate for yourself, and know your value.
What advice would you share with young women who are interested in investing, saving, or even starting their own content creator journey?
My top advice to young women would be: Be curious—it’s the start of all knowledge. You have to be open-minded and curious to live a life of learning. And make it habitual. Once you set up your accounts, just make it automatic and don’t overcomplicate it.
And finally, what’s one fun or surprising thing about you that your followers might not know?
One surprising thing would be that I love rollercoasters. I love splurging on experiences, and I’m such a nerd for theme parks. I get such an adrenaline rush, and it’s my favourite thing.
All images courtesy of Mia McGrath.