A fashion influencer is a person who utilizes their online social media presence to shape fashion trends and influence purchasing decisions. Originating from the realm of online fashion blogs in the early 2000s, they have transformed into potent marketing instruments on digital platforms like Instagram[1], Twitter, TikTok, Facebook[2], and YouTube. Earning is achieved by fashion influencers through partnerships with brands, affiliate links, and their worth is gauged by factors like follower numbers, demographic details, engagement metrics, and alignment with brands. They hold a pivotal role in marketing for fashion labels, boosting brand recognition and stimulating sales. However, they have been subject to scrutiny and regulatory measures due to issues of transparency in revealing sponsored content. Despite these hurdles, fashion influencers continue to be an integral component of the fashion sector.
A fashion influencer is a personality that has a large number of followers on social media, creates mainly fashion content and has the power to influence the opinion and purchase behavior of others with their recommendations. Brands endorse them to attend fashion shows, parties, designer dinners and exclusive trips and to wear their clothes on social media. If a salary has been involved, the influencer may be required to label such posts as paid or sponsored content. Before social media "they would have been called 'It girls'".
Business magazine Forbes identified fashion influencers as "the new celebrity endorsements". However, influencers seem to have a closer relationship with their audience than traditional celebrities. As marketers Jung von Matt, Brandnew IO and Facelift point out: "Daily interactions across multiple channels, through photos, stories or live sessions, create a form of closeness and trust" that make influencers "often more tangible than traditional celebrities".