Instagram takes a young man from Russell around world

Loic Quedec, who was raised in Russell, has turned Instagram in to his job.

Loic Quedec has come a long way since he began using Instagram.

The first photo he posted on the social media site was of a pohutukawa tree.

Now, with a following of about 53,800 people, Instagramming is the 22-year-old's job - he is a social media influencer. Mr Quedec was brought up in Russell.

"A social media influencer is someone who is sent products or clothing for free. I do fashion so I come up with creative ways to showcase that product - how I would style it, or how I would wear it - in the hopes that my followers will go out to buy that product."

View this post on Instagram

I keep my kicks clean, and you should too @vansnewzealand #njot

A post shared by Loic Quédec (@kedecc) on May 22, 2017 at 3:09am PDT

It has taken the young man, who grew up in Russell, around the world and allowed him to work with brands like Converse, adidas Originals and Nike.

"I love it, I enjoy it so much. The people that I've met and the friends that I've met along the way. I love collaborating with people and clothing brands and creating cool stuff," he said.

His fashion interest was influenced by his older brother who would give Mr Quedec clothes and shoes he no longer wore.

"He was always wearing all the latest brands so that was pretty dope," he said.

When Mr Quedec was about 10 he started attending Dilworth Boarding School in Auckland.
It was in Auckland where Mr Quedec's interest in fashion grew.

At 15 he had a part time job at the Duke of Marlborough in Russell where he would work during the school holidays, save his money, and spend it on clothes.

When he finished school he moved to Auckland permanently, worked two part time jobs, and would spend that money on clothes too.

View this post on Instagram

Obsessed w my new Mesh Tee from @fallenfront ~ Perfect for summer! #ThingThing 🏀🏃

A post shared by Loic Quédec (@kedecc) on Jan 23, 2014 at 1:38am PST

One day he started taking photos of them.

"I'd tag those clothing labels in the photo and they loved it and some of them would eventually send me clothes and that's how it started."

Things really started to take off for him after he was flown to Shanghai to represent New Zealand at a shoe launch for Converse's Chuck Taylor Shoes.

After that trip he went to Fiji for some Instagram events; attended a lifestyle trade fair called Liberty Fair in Las Vegas; and was invited to Hong Kong Fashion Week by Cathay Pacific.

"Cathay Pacific is known for the greatest flight lounges in the world and they had a jacuzzi and a champagne room and an a la carte menu. I was one of the last people to board the plane I was freaking out. I was trying to try everything."

He said the world of social media influencers was saturated now but he had a couple of tips for people wanting to do what he does.

"Be original and be creative."

Here it is, a short documentary with Ella Wells about my life and everything in between. From small town Lo to city boy Kedecc. Mad love to everyone involved and mentioned who have helped share and follow my vision, support has been beyond amazing ❤️

Posted by Loic Quédec on Thursday, 15 June 2017

In the future he hopes to have his own clothing label.