Lots of people wonder what’s so special about having a blog. Sometimes it seems like everyone has a presence on the web, talking about the particular aspects of their lives. In a world where anyone can have a voice, it’s tough to make yours stand out. Even if you manage to do that, it takes an entirely different set of skills to turn a blog into a successful business. For fashion enthusiasts like myself, Instagram and other forms of social media are the go-to sources for style inspiration. Over breakfast or while trying to pass time on the elliptical, one can simply scroll down their feed and come across what’s trending.
Chiara Ferragni is one of these Internet success stories. Her blog, theblondesalad.com showcases the latest trends in fashion, travel, and lifestyle. The 28-year-old started the blog while attending law school in Italy in 2009. Through the power of social media, she now reaches nearly five and a half million people on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. She has expanded her brand to include a shoe and accessory line, as well as publishing a book on style tips for every girl. As if that isn’t enough, Chiara also became the first fashion blogger to be featured on the cover of an international Vogue magazine and made the cut for the Forbes 30 Under 30 list of 2015. She now sits in the front row at Fashion Week in New York, Paris, and Milan, alongside celebrities and industry icons like Anna Wintour and Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen.
What makes all of these accomplishments so remarkable is that Chiara started as an outsider in the elite world of fashion. When she began, she wasn’t a model, an actress, or a designer. She was a law student, hoping to share her passion online. She is part of a new generation of “Internet celebrities” who have garnered attention through a combination of wit and business savvy.
What appeals to me the most about Chiara is that her style feels accessible, even for a college student. Rather than sporting runway fashions or “out there” outfits, she posts looks that everyone from the fashion-phobic to the fashionista can find and feel confident in. She mixes high-end pieces with affordable staples. Her style is effortlessly chic. It’s fun and daring, but not too daring. Above all, Chiara promotes confidence through her brand. Despite an industry that notoriously distorts body image and beauty perceptions, Chiara encourages young women to use fashion to express their individual personalities.
What sets Chiara apart is her ability to make the inaccessible feel achievable. Everyone, fashion-savvy or not, can take a page from her blog. She manages to simplify a world of new trends into applicable style tips. Chiara took an interest and found a way to transform it into a career by creating a marketable image. Since there are no real guidelines or limitations to blogging, Chiara was able to create something that was uniquely hers.
