Want to Take Over the World? Fashion Blogging Can Take You There

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Fashion bloggers use a wide variety of platforms, from personal websites to YouTube, but there’s one platform thing they all seem to use...Instagram! These days everyone seems to be some type of influencer, or at least wants to influence. With those at the top making it look so easy, it can make us regular folk feel like we need to step up our game. Gurus like Gabrielle O’Donnell, Danielle Carolan and Rocky Barnes have made a name for themselves by working their personal brands and never shying away from what makes them special.

O’Donnell, known as HelloGabrielle on Instagram, began working on her fashion blog in January 2016 when she started the spring semester of her freshman year at Liberty University. She began working with College Fashionista, which is “a community of influential college students with access to experience in the fashion, beauty and digital media industries,” according to their Instagram bio. Right now, O’Donnell’s look is fall, fresh and fun, but her style it totally unlimited: She can rock a boho-chic dress and flower crown one day and sport a casual ‘fit with a pop of punk/edge the next.

“It was something I always wanted to do, so I finally took the initiative and began the journey,” said O’Donnell. In addition, she started a YouTube channel and began collaborating with different brands and companies. One of her favorite blogger perks is seeing her relationships grow with all the cool people she has met over time.

But it’s not always fun and games. O’Donnell works extra hard to make sure her work stands out above the rest.

“There’s a lot of fashion influencers/bloggers out there now so by doing your own this is what makes you you, and what helps makes you stand out to others,” O’Donnell said.

Other influencers, like Danielle Carolan, primarily use YouTube. Not only do her vlogs give her fans a look into her beauty routines, like “10 minute makeup for school” and fashion hauls, like “back to school haul 2018,” but they give an in-depth look at her daily life – and her bubbly personality! She hopes to increase the confidence of her fans by showing her true self to the entire world in all of her videos, according to her YouTube channel bio.

“The main goal of my channel is to allow gals like me to feel GREAT about themselves discovering the latest trends and looking fit!” she wrote in her YouTube description.

And her videos do just that: Between “weekend in my life,” “how to have the best college experience” and “drive with me,” Carolan shows everything that makes her stand out in a sea of bloggers and influencers. Right now, Carolan is all about turtleneck sweaters that can keep you warm when the fall breeze comes through. But her outfits usually emphasize some Southern flare – she goes to University of Georgia after all – meaning she’s all about pairing a miniskirt with some fresh booties.

Rocky Barnes doesn’t publicize her website on her Instagram, but a quick Google search will give you her personal blog! She talks about everything from travel to fitness to, of course, fashion. She started her career as a model and then moved into blogging to share her experiences with people all over the world.

Her brand is clear: A Gypset Lifestyle, which she says “Fus[es] the ease and carefree lifestyle of a gypsy with the sophistication of the jet set,” on the about page of her website. Barnes works with brands like Revolve, and creates clothing lines for Cleobella and Manebí, while also modeling the looks. In all three lines, her looks are classically bohemian. Imagine yourself walking through palm-tree-lined streets with a light beach breeze passing through. That’s the vibe Rocky’s lines try to exude. Picture flowy dresses, fringe-filled jackets, espadrille sneakers and bright pops of color.

One thing is true of all these women: Not only do they want to make a name for themselves, but they want to encourage others to do the same. They are proud of what they do and hope to continue growing their personal brands as important aspects of their work.

“I hope that people see the real me in everything I do,” said O’Donnell. “I want to be able to exemplify who I am and what I stand for through my fashion and lifestyle. That’s what makes me who I am and is something I never want to change.”