Our Winter 2016 cover girl, Chiara Ferragni, is nothing short of an online phenomenon. Her blog-turned-digital magazine, The Blonde Salad, has been ruling the Internet’s fashion sphere for the better part of the last six years, going so far as to merit its own Harvard University case study (which, by the way, estimated the site would amass a cool 8 million dollars this year).
At the helm of it all is Ferragni, who, with her doe eyes and infamous blonde waves, is the epitome of an It girl. She travels the world outfitted in an ever-changing rotation of designer goods, leaping from fashion week to photo shoot to red carpet with seemingly effortless ease. Her teams now boasts close to 20 people, which is obviously a huge factor in helping to manage the mania that surrounds TBS’s brand. However, it is Ferragni’s rare talent for blending her girl-next-door persona with the upper echelons of the fashion world that has made her a force within the industry, attracting the attention of millions of followers and designers alike.
Her story is also one that inspires fantasies of Cinderella-like proportions: that anyone who has a dream, a unique point of view, and an unrelenting work ethic can achieve unparalleled levels of success. Of course, there’s also something to be said for being first to the party—the world looks very different today than it did in 2009. But the sentiment still rings true, as do the transformative qualities of the clothes showcased on the pages of TBS. Ferragni knows that better than anyone, as evidenced by the evolution of her own style over the years.
These days, the blonde is more “bronde” and the clothes may be straight off the runway more often than not, but Ferragni’s penchant for spirited smiles and playful poses doesn’t seem to have diminished in the slightest (a true rarity in an industry notorious for taking itself too seriously). After all, running around exotic locales snapping photos with your friends is, at its core, supposed to be fun. Ferragni’s just smart enough to have also made a multi-million dollar business out of it.
Pick up our Winter 2016 issue, on stands today.
Photography by Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images
Photography by Venturelli/WireImage
Photography by Jacopo Raule/Getty Images
Photography by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
Photography by Venturelli/Getty Images
Photography by Paul Morigi/WireImage
Photography by Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images
Photography by Peter Stigter
Photography by Peter Stigter
Photography by Peter Stigter
Photography by Luca Teuchmann/Getty Images
Photography by Timur Emek/Getty Images
Photography by Timur Emek/Getty Images
Photography by Peter Stigter
Photography by Timur Emek/Getty Images
Photography by Peter Stigter
Photography by Peter Stigter
Photography by Peter Stigter
Photography by Peter Stigter
Photography by Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic
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Previewing Philipp Plein’s new collection during Milan Fashion Week Menswear, 2011
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Stepping out on the red carpet at the 68th Venice International Film Festival, 2011
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Serving up a side of old school glamour at the Missoni show during Milan Fashion Week, 2012
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In the front row at Sonia Rykiel during Paris Fashion Week, 2013
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Wearing a coral Gucci dress at the Closing Ceremony of the Taormina Filmfest at Teatro Antico, 2013
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Opting for edgy minimalism at the Philosophy By Natalie Ratabesi show during New York Fashion Week, 2013
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Outside of the Ralph Lauren show wearing a Burberry trench coat in NYC, 2013
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At Milan Fashion Week in a Stefanel dress, 2013
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Getting grungy in plaid at Milan Fashion Week, 2013
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Sporting a showstopping Just Cavalli gold jacket at Milan Fashion Week, 2013
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In head-to-toe Chanel at the Stylight Fashion Blogger Awards in Berlin, 2014
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Bundled up in MSGM jacket in NYC, 2014
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Causing a scene in Valentino at New York Fashion Week, 2014
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Giving serious mod vibes in Christian Dior at Paris Fashion Week, 2014
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In Chanel and sneakers at Paris Fashion Week, 2014
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Decked out in Acne shearling coat during New York Fashion Week, 2015
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Taking on the freezing temps in a Fendi bomber and a Markus Lupfer sweater at New York Fashion Week, 2015
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Skipping through the streets of Paris Fashion Week, 2015
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Trying a septum ring on for size in Stella McCartney at Paris Fashion Week, 2015
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Arriving at amfAR’s Inspiration Gala in Los Angeles wearing glittery Mary Janes from her eponymous shoe line, 2015