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Social influencers in fashion: ‘I don't feel like we're influencing. I feel like we're inspiring’
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(19 Sep 2018) SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCERS IN FASHION: 'I DON'T FEEL LIKE WE'RE INFLUENCING, I FEEL LIKE WE'RE INSPIRING'
The life of a social media influencer seems simple - post photos or videos online, gain followers and get paid. But what really goes into being a successful influencer?
At New York Fashion Week, social influencers and bloggers shared their stories.
One, Patrick Simondac - better known as Patrick Starrr - began his career by creating makeup tutorials on YouTube. After the content went viral, Patrick Starrr's hobby turned into a full-time job.
The makeup artist now has his own cosmetics line with MAC Cosmetics and was asked to walk in New York Fashion Week as "The Little Mermaid" character Ursula in TheBlond's collaborative show with Disney Villains.
"I'm four million strong on YouTube as of two weeks ago. So, it's just amazing to see all the opportunities: besides my fourth collection at MAC just launching, being in Fashion Week this weekend. It's just insane how we're able to just cross promote our worlds, from fashion to beauty online," said Starrr.
The hobby-turned-job story is not uncommon in the influencer world. Instagram stars Molly and Reese Blutstein and Courtney Trop sat front row at the Self-Portrait fashion show for New York Fashion Week.
Molly Blutstein, who has the Instagram handle @accidentalinfluencer, said falling into her position did, in fact, happen by accident. Her sister, Reese agreed.
"Yeah, it's weird that it's a job, that you can do it as a job," said Reese. "Because you just start it as a hobby. I don't know anyone that just starts that, that wants to do that as a job."
Though the blogsphere is a more common arena for launching a career, monetization through social media is a component that often develops less expectedly.
Vanessa Hong is a blogger who wears many hats. Hong also attended the Self-Portrait show.
"I kind of do everything. I guess I'm like a social influencer; I model, I consult, I write. So, I do a lot of stuff," said Hong.
Hong said she wasn't surprised by the many roles she'd taken on within the fashion sphere, calling today the "era of the multihyphenates."
For Hong, attending fashion shows serves many purposes.
"So when you come to a show you're definitely coming, you know, to support the designer. Han (Chong, of Self-Portrait) is like a friend of mine, so I came today to support. And just making notes for like future seasons, just what to expect, you know, for the spring," said Hong.
Though the term "social influencer" has been widely used to describe social media users with an expansive following and platform, Trop and the Blutstein sisters don't call themselves influencers.
"I don't feel like we're influencing. I feel like we're inspiring," said Reese Blutstein. "We're not like making people do things, we're just helping inspire them.
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The life of a social media influencer seems simple - post photos or videos online, gain followers and get paid. But what really goes into being a successful influencer?
At New York Fashion Week, social influencers and bloggers shared their stories.
One, Patrick Simondac - better known as Patrick Starrr - began his career by creating makeup tutorials on YouTube. After the content went viral, Patrick Starrr's hobby turned into a full-time job.
The makeup artist now has his own cosmetics line with MAC Cosmetics and was asked to walk in New York Fashion Week as "The Little Mermaid" character Ursula in TheBlond's collaborative show with Disney Villains.
"I'm four million strong on YouTube as of two weeks ago. So, it's just amazing to see all the opportunities: besides my fourth collection at MAC just launching, being in Fashion Week this weekend. It's just insane how we're able to just cross promote our worlds, from fashion to beauty online," said Starrr.
The hobby-turned-job story is not uncommon in the influencer world. Instagram stars Molly and Reese Blutstein and Courtney Trop sat front row at the Self-Portrait fashion show for New York Fashion Week.
Molly Blutstein, who has the Instagram handle @accidentalinfluencer, said falling into her position did, in fact, happen by accident. Her sister, Reese agreed.
"Yeah, it's weird that it's a job, that you can do it as a job," said Reese. "Because you just start it as a hobby. I don't know anyone that just starts that, that wants to do that as a job."
Though the blogsphere is a more common arena for launching a career, monetization through social media is a component that often develops less expectedly.
Vanessa Hong is a blogger who wears many hats. Hong also attended the Self-Portrait show.
"I kind of do everything. I guess I'm like a social influencer; I model, I consult, I write. So, I do a lot of stuff," said Hong.
Hong said she wasn't surprised by the many roles she'd taken on within the fashion sphere, calling today the "era of the multihyphenates."
For Hong, attending fashion shows serves many purposes.
"So when you come to a show you're definitely coming, you know, to support the designer. Han (Chong, of Self-Portrait) is like a friend of mine, so I came today to support. And just making notes for like future seasons, just what to expect, you know, for the spring," said Hong.
Though the term "social influencer" has been widely used to describe social media users with an expansive following and platform, Trop and the Blutstein sisters don't call themselves influencers.
"I don't feel like we're influencing. I feel like we're inspiring," said Reese Blutstein. "We're not like making people do things, we're just helping inspire them.
Find out more about AP Archive: www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter: twitter.com/AP_Archive
Facebook: www.facebook.com/APArchives
Google+: plus.google.com/b/102011028589719587178/+APArchive
Tumblr: aparchives.tumblr.com/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/APNews/
You can license this story through AP Archive: www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/58ea0a0c24d2c900e9ebbbdaa71a2508