Meet Vancouver born and raised Instagram influencer and blogger, Emma Rose Leger. With a love for fashion and creativity blossoming at a young age, Emma knew that she wanted to step out of her comfort zone and dare to be different.

“WHEN I FOUND OUT ABOUT JCI INSTITUTE, IT WAS FATE!”

When looking into local Fashion programs, Emma took a tour at JCI, which made her decision about post-secondary education an easy one.

After graduating the Fashion Business & Creative Arts Program, Emma has spent countless hours volunteering in the Fashion Industry, working in retail, and has kept busy managing her blog, West Coast Kinda Girl, while building her personal portfolio on Instagram.

“THERE ARE MANY CAREER GOALS I HAVE IN MIND FOR MYSELF. TO NAME A FEW… I PLAN TO CONTINUE TO BUILD MY FASHION BLOG AND SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE. I HOPE TO ONE DAY CREATE MY OWN CLOTHING OR BEAUTY BRAND.”

This year, Emma attended New York Fashion Week and had the opportunity to collaborate with companies such as Australian company Sabo Skirt. The traveling has not stopped there!

“THIS PAST MONTH I ATTENDED THE VOGUE CFDA FASHION FUND IN LOS ANGELES. I WAS IN A ROOM SURROUNDED BY EVERYONE I HAVE LOOKED UP TO, INCLUDING THE ONE AND ONLY ANNA WINTOUR. IT WAS A SURREAL NIGHT THAT I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER.”

INSTAGRAM TIPS AND TRICKS

Q: How did you first get into blogging?
It all started at JCI Institute! I had a social media class, (taught by the social media guru Erin Sousa). We were required to submit a blog post every week for the class and I fell in love with that course! I began to publish posts on WCKG ever since.

Q: What is your biggest piece of advice to how a blogger can get noticed on Instagram?
My biggest tip would be to create quality over quantity content. It’s important to put your best work forward as much as you can, rather than posting average content daily.

Q: Top hashtags to use on Instagram?
Hashtags are very important, even though they are always changing. Here are the top fashion hashtags I currently use:
#fashionblogger #whatiwore #vancouverblogger #LAblogger #NYCblogger #losangelesfashion #westcoastfashion #newyorkfashion #westcoastblogger #styleblogger #lookoftheday #ootd #ootdmagazine #whowhatwear #fashiondaily #fashionista #outfitpost

Q: Snapchat or Instagram Live? Which outlet should an upcoming Instagram blogger use more often?
Instagram Live! I personally believe that Instagram is more professional and an intimate platform to connect with your followers because everything is accessible in one app. Instagram is my largest platform, I don’t use Snapchat very often.

Q: What do you think is the best strategy that worked well for you to get more traffic to your blog?
I think the best way to gain traffic is to write about relevant topics, trends, tips and tricks to help your readers. It’s always good to take feedback and questions from your readers! Another good way is to be consistent with the content you put forward.

Q: Who has impacted you most in blogging?
I get inspiration from a lot of fellow bloggers! It’s so important to network and grow with other bloggers around you.

Q: What has been the most challenging moment in your blogging journey so far?
The most challenging moment about blogging was when I first started. Not many people around me were doing it and not everyone understood how it could be a career.
I know a lot of girls around me who have started blogging and it’s more ‘the norm’ now, but a lot of people I meet still ask “what do you do for a living” and when I answer with “I have a fashion blog!” they don’t always take me seriously or fully understand right away.

Q: How active are you on your blog and what makes your blog different from others?
I try to be as active as possible, but I am a huge believer in quality over quantity. So I will only post something that I am proud of! I think my blog reflects me and my personality very well, I always try to stay as true to myself as possible.

Q: A lot of people think that blogging is an easy way to make money online. Do you have some tips for those people who are interested in making money from their blog?
Blogging is definitely not easy, let me tell you that! We aren’t just a quick Instagram photo posted on social media. We are photographers, location scouts, makeup artists, models, hair stylists, fashion stylists, editors, writers and the list could go on.
We are our own bosses and we do all the work! If you continue to willingly take on all of those roles for yourself, the money will come eventually.

Keep up with Emma:
Instagram Website

Love fashion and want to make it your career? JCI Institute Vancouver’s Fashion Business & Creative Arts Diploma Program provides students with a comprehensive overview of the fashion industry, combining creative and business elements. This diverse approach gives our fashion school grads a distinct advantage both in knowledge and skill. Prepare for many jobs in the fashion industry, including becoming a fashion buyer, fashion stylist, or for work in fashion merchandising. If becoming a fashion designer is more your speed, choose our Core Fashion Program. This course at our fashion design institute will give you all the skills you need to be a fashion designer. Choose between our fashion programs to find the best fit for you!