Fashion mogul, Chiara Ferragni, has come a long way since starting her blog, The Blonde Salad, in 2009. An Italian-born influencer and entrepreneur, Ferragni’s relationships with major fashion houses, publications, and global collaborations make her an example to follow for aspiring fashion bloggers everywhere. It doesn’t hurt that she is married to the singer and songwriter, Fedez and the mother to her son, Leone, either. From the early days of The Blonde Salad to world-renowned publications and timeless collaborative pieces, this is the story of how Chiara Ferragni became a major figure in the fashion industry.
Early Beginnings
Ferragni’s journey started in 2009 when she created the blog The Blonde Salad. Running off of her knowledge of fashion, she started posting content related to fashion, beauty, travel, and lifestyle starring herself. Her content started to generate a loyal following, and she soon started partnering with brands, including Tommy Hilfiger, Dior and Louis Vuitton.
Ferragni’s followers were outside the realm of fashion enthusiasts; her content was appealing to people of all ages, lifestyles, and backgrounds. She earned a considerable amount by selling a combination of top-tier fashion pieces from luxury and designer labels with more accessible collections and selections.
At the same time, she helped her fans learn and understand fashion trends, and how to mix high and low fashion items to create their own unique looks. This strategy, along with her looks, attracted further attention as she helped shape a whole generation of fashion girls, with looks ranging from full midi skirts and crimson velvet shirts to sleek white dresses and dungarees.
Social Media Expansion
Realizing the power of the internet, Ferragni rapidly grew her presence by leveraging other forms of social media already popular with her fans, the younger generation. She started to frequently use Instagram and Twitter to post her fashion images and thoughts. Her quirky, witty captions and hashtags soon gained her a large following, from countries all around the world including the United States, France, Italy and Spain.
Ferragni, now followed by millions, worked hard to establish her online presence. She posted high-quality images and developed a strong visual style that differentiated her from other influencers. She used the power of Instagram and Twitter to establish herself as a major figure in the fashion industry and connect with a larger audience.
Collaborations and Ventures
Ferragni made her first major collaboration with Steve Madden in 2013. The partnership involved her wearing and modelling the brand’s shoes on her social media profiles, with pictures of the shoes going viral and being featured on the homepages of top fashion sites such as Vogue and Elle.
By 2018, she had co-launched the Chiara Ferragni Collection, an e-commerce collection that includes clothing and accessories, with her husband, Fedez. In the same year, Ferragni also signed a contract with Tod’s shoe house, becoming the face of their spring collection and later appearing in their Fall/Winter 2019 campaign.
In 2019, Ferragni signed a deal with lingerie brand, Triumph. She also debuted her first book, The Ferragnez, which focused on her wedding photos, her personal life and fashion tips. In 2020, Ferrari started selling hair accessories and opened a New York flagship store.
Fashion Ideas
The looks Ferragni wears throughout her blog posts and films combine several fashion styles. Her looks are highly casual yet sleek and comfortable with a hint of sophisticated style. Ferragni is known for her fresh, youthful and modern day looks that aren’t too dramatic: think dungarees, checked mini skirts and bold-colored coats.
From Instagram stories to blog posts, Ferragni is constantly inspiring her followers to look for different ways to style their clothes. She encourages her readers to think outside the box when it comes to fashion; giving tips on how to combine contrasting pieces, such as pairing a metallic mini skirt with a cozy knitted sweater in one outfit.
Aside from styling tips, Ferragni also shares her thoughts on beauty, giving a different approach to makeup and how to pull it off in any situation. Whether it’s for a night out or for a special occasion look, Chiara often shares her favorite products, looks, and services.
Growing an online presence, starting collaborations and launching her own fashion line, Chiara Ferragni has an incredibly inspiring story on working hard and reaching global success. From merely sharing her views and passion for fashion on her blog, to gracing the covers of international magazines and being featured in campaigns with major fashion houses, Chiara Ferragni went from fashion blogger to mogul in no time.