What is a Fashion Influencer?
Fashion influencers emerged with the advent of social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
While the term ‘influencer’ has reached popularity in the digital era, the role has roots in fashion in the pre-internet times when fashion icons and tastemakers shaped public opinion through their dressing choices, as depicted by traditional media platforms.
In contemporary parlance, a fashion influencer is an individual who delivers fashion style and purchasing advice to a large audience who follows them on social media.
Influencers collaborate with brands to review fashion products, share dressing advice, and showcase their fashion style to influence their following, drive consumer engagement, and increase sales.
What Makes a Fashion Influencer?
Digitally Savvy. Most fashion influencers leverage digital platforms to engage their audience.
Their proficiency extends beyond merely posting content to mastering the algorithms and metrics that drive online visibility.
Trust. Fashion influencers have subject-matter expertise, authenticity, and consistency that allow them to offer insightful and trustworthy recommendations.
Business Acumen. Fashion influencers are entrepreneurial and collaborate with brands to reach mutual marketing objectives.
Fashion Influencer vs Trendsetter
The roles of a fashion influencer and trendsetter overlap yet remain distinct.
Influencers wield power primarily through social media channels, sharing style tips, fashion critiques, and recommendations.
Unlike trendsetters, influencers do not introduce or reinterpret existing fashion styles but rather showcase the existing fashion trends to their audience.
Old Money Fashion Influencers to Follow
Here is a list of fashion influencers to follow if you are into the old-money style.
- David Gandy (@davidgandy_official)
- Mariano Di Vaio (@marianodivaio)
- Rowan Row (@rowanrow)
- Johannes Huebl (@johanneshuebl)
- Blake Scott (@blakescott)
- Alex Costa (@alexcosta)
- Justus Frederic Hansen (@justusf_hansen)
- Fabio Attanasio (@fabioattanasio)
- Daniele Zaccone (@danielre)
- Ryan Clark (@ryanstylesnyc)
Final Takeaways
Straddling the realms of fashion, media, and entrepreneurship, fashion influencers occupy a unique space in the fashion ecosystem.
Unlike trendsetters, influencers are not originators but curators and amplifiers, directing the attention of their digitally engaged audience to existing fashion trends.
The VOU Men's Styling Newsletter
Gain access to weekly insights on expert men's styling, professional advice on how to improve your status and social image with clever styling tips, and excellent discounts from our designer partner brands.
Lawrence Anderson’s focus at The VOU is old-money style, British heritage menswear and the wider strategy behind a man’s wardrobe. His coverage addresses readers who want a composed, consistent style but need practical guidance on where to begin, what to keep and which pieces deserve a place in their wardrobe.
His subject areas connect classic tailoring, knitwear, footwear and accessories with the proportions and formality of a complete outfit. British countryside clothing, preppy dressing and Ivy-inspired references provide context for understanding different versions of the look. The emphasis is on recognising the relevant details and adapting them to the wearer’s life, rather than treating an aesthetic as a requirement to buy particular labels.
Lawrence’s editorial coverage brings wardrobe planning back to the reader’s needs: everyday clothing, professional presentation, occasion dressing and a workable budget. It considers existing pieces, outfit coordination and repeat use, giving men a basis for building personal style over time. A coherent wardrobe should reflect the person wearing it and the situations they actually need to dress for.
Raf Adams’s focus at The VOU is luxury menswear, brand analysis and quiet-luxury styling. His coverage addresses men who want to understand the difference between a recognisable label, a documented garment feature and a buying choice that makes sense for their wardrobe.
His subject areas include materials, construction details, brand positioning and the understated clothing references associated with quiet luxury. This focus examines what can be established from product information and what remains a matter of appearance or preference. Price and reputation provide context, but neither replaces attention to fit, intended use and the details of the item being considered.
Raf’s editorial coverage connects those comparisons with complete outfits and repeat wear. Readers exploring premium clothing can consider how a purchase works with existing pieces, which features matter to them and whether a less conspicuous look suits their needs. The aim is to make luxury menswear easier to assess without turning a brand name into a promise of quality or personal style.