Content creators Julia Dang and Maya Nilsen revisit The LineUp: the beauty of growing up together, pursuing things apart, and of course, reviving the platform that first brought them acclaim
This is an excerpt from MEGA March 2025 Beauty Blog
In their first-ever published video, a young Julia Dang and Maya Nilsen front the camera, premiering themselves as The LineUp. “We picked out a few outfits for school,” they mention, following it with the famous line, “We hope you like it! Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe.” On it, the duo features eight school-inspired style ideas, divided thematically to showcase how to wear the hottest essentials at that time, such as oversized knitted cardigans, opaque thigh highs, pleather skirts, and more.
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Their five-minute fall fashion look-book, which, by way, reached audiences around the world, was only the beginning. Sweden-based creators, Julia and Maya produced more style series for their channel that garnered popularity. Yet, despite their status, the duo made it clear that they started their platform as an outlet for their ideas and interests. “It was always intended to be a fun thing that we didn’t even tell a lot of people about,” Julia shares. “But to our surprise, we quickly gained more viewers and followers which pushed us even more to be creative.”
Even long before the channel was born, the duo had already established a friendship comparable to a twin flame connection. “We both had our separate interests in fashion before getting to know each other, and after meeting at a K-pop dance group in 2012, we instantly became close friends,” Maya reminisces. “We remember that we noticed each other in the waiting room before the first audition because of our outfits. Even though that dance group is long gone, most of our closest friendships today were formed in that group.”
Julia continues, “Through that, the idea for the channel came to life. Our friends consistently asked us for fashion advice and pushed us to start a blog, but, at that time, it felt more natural to do YouTube. So in November 2013 we bought a camera and just started filming.”
There’s something about the camaraderie that happens behind-the-scenes. When asked to describe how it is to grow up with each other — both call it a blessing. “We have always prioritized our friendship over work,” Maya explains. “Being honest and open is key when we work together. We also always make time for each other even when it isn’t work-related.”
“We always know that we can support each other regardless if it’s about work or friendship. It’s important to have the same values when it comes to working with your best friend,” Julia adds, emphasizing that one of the best parts of working with each other is simply having someone to share it all with. “We have so many memories and milestones that we did together, it wouldn’t be as fun if we didn’t have each other. We are quite aligned creatively, but if we do disagree we just talk about it and come to a common decision. Since we are very close outside of work it’s extra important to communicate so nothing is misunderstood.”
Discover Julia Dang and Maya Nilsen’s journey as content creators and how they plan to revive their channel in MEGA’s March 2025 issue, now available on Readly, Magzter, Press Reader and Zinio.
Directed by DANG HO. CGI and Retouching MICKY ANH HO. Styling MAYA NILSEN. Makeup ANASTASIA JULIA DUNER. Hair AIDA ADEM and JULIA DANG. Production Assistant SANG HO. Sky painted by AIDA ADEM. Fashion MEGA MIKAELA, SAVEJA SEVERA, MIRANDA BERG, EMMA CARLING, MARIA NILSDOTTER, SIADDS ATELIER.
