Blonde Ambition: A Hugely Popular Fashion Blogger On What She'd Do If She Couldn't Blog, Why She Loves Cowboy Boots, and How Much Money She Really Makes
Chiara Ferragni wears a hoodie from Vetements, Photo: Getty Images
If America’s Sweetheart is Jennifer Lawrence, the Internet’s version is Chiara Ferragni. At 5.5 million followers, the Blonde Salad blogger boasts more iFans than Star Wars’s Daisy Ridley, Scandal’s Kerry Washington, and even The Weeknd. Teen girls camp out to meet her when she Snapchats her location. Street style photographers block sidewalks just to get her photo.
But who is the Italian native with worldwide appeal, and what does she do all day—besides flaunt seriously perfect eyeliner?
At the 28-year-old’s newest shoe launch in Milan, we pushed through a crush of her fans to find out.
Chiara Ferragni cowboy boots, Photo: @farankrentcil/Instagram.com
Yahoo Style: You’re wearing a hoodie with cowboy boots that you designed. Is this a new thing?
Chiara Ferragni: For me, cowboy boots have always been a thing. I’ve always been obsessed with Texas and the desert, and cowboys. I used to buy a lot of vintage ones here in Milan. My first pair, I got when I was like sixteen.
What did you wear them with?
Everything. Some of my friends couldn’t understand it. Many of them were like, “Chiara, what are those shoes?” A few people were kind of not nice about it. But I always thought cowboy boots were super cool. I would ask them, “Who wouldn’t want to be a cowboy? I think it sounds like the best job ever.” They didn’t get it. But I’m glad I just listened to myself and what I wanted to wear, because now here we are.
There are teen girls waiting for you outside. You’re like a movie star.
Thank you! That makes me really happy, to know that people like the site and respond to it.
Are you mobbed by fans everywhere you go?
It happens more in Milan, because I’m Italian. But yeah, everywhere I go in the world, people stop me and ask me for photos. But it’s not like photographers are camped out at the airport waiting for me. I think that’s the right amount of fame.
Is there anything you wish people knew about you that isn’t on your blog or social media?
Is it strange if I say “no”? I think if people know my face and my Instagram and Snapchat, I think they get a clear idea of my personality. I hope I do a good job of posting pictures that aren’t just stylish, but also inspire people to be more confident with themselves.
When you meet fans, what do they say to you?
So many people tell me, “You’re my inspiration, because now I have fun and wear what I want, no matter what my friends say.” And I love that. That’s my favorite thing to hear, actually. I hope that’s the positive message they get from me: be yourself, do your own thing.
You’re famous for your great style. But what’s your actual “job”?
That’s a great question. I don’t have a set routine, because my life has changed so much in the past few years, and every day it’s different. I have my blog, where I shoot my own fashion stories and post things about travel, life—what’s happening around me. Then I work with [brands], and I also do my own collection, like these shoes. Now, I live in Los Angeles, but I have an office here in Milan. We have 20 people on the team now. The Blonde Salad is really growing. It’s the job of my dreams.
What’s next for you?
Well, The Blonde Salad is definitely going to be getting bigger in the next few months. I’ve just been named the global face for Pantene and Amazon Fashion. My team just started managing my sister [Valentina], too. She’s around somewhere! And this collection is going great. I want it to get bigger.
The press says you’re a “millionaire blogger.” Is that true?
My brand is a million-dollar brand, but I am not a millionaire—yet. But I will get there!
Let’s pretend Instagram died tomorrow. What would you do?
I would like to be a rock star.
That’s amazing. Can you sing?
I can sing, but it’s not my best quality. I’m really good in the shower. Can I be a shower rock star? Until I’m ready to sing for real?
Sure. But if you’re a rock star, you might not be able to show up at the airport without paparazzi waiting for you.
You’re right. If not a rock star, I would be a cowboy! I already have the boots!
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