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Self-expression is important. It allows people to show their true selves to the outside world, which can inspire others to do the same. Sometimes it is easier to translate the depths of who you are through different mediums. Expressing yourself through the clothes you wear can help cultivate confidence, body positivity, and self-love. Feeling good in the outfit that you put together can give you the energy that you need to seize the day and step into your purpose.
Fashion influencers can do more than just inspire people to go shopping. They inspire people to wear clothes that speaks to who they are and the life they want to live. Once you rid yourself of the invisible boundaries of what you should or should not wear, you can finally translate your personality and background into your true style. There are five fashion influencers that I would like to highlight that inspires me to live authentically and boldly through the clothes I choose to wear.
NYC based, sustainability advocate, and sneakerhead. Kia Marie is known for her bold fashion looks. She seamlessly mixes masculine and feminine pieces in one look and ties it all together with afro-centric jewelry pieces and vibrant hairstyles. Kia’s style expresses the fluidity of New York hip hop culture and street style. What captivates me the most about her style is how she incorporates sneakers into her daily fit. Whether it be a dress or cargos, her sneaker game never fails and always gives her outfits the signature look that she is known for.
Her style speaks to the freedom within the soul of the everyday woman. A freedom that screams, “you can be whoever you want to be. You don’t have to fit into culture, make culture fit around you.” She also uses her platform to promote a more sustainable and affordable ways of shopping through thrifting. Her thrift hauls and look books inspires me to find creative ways of styling unique pieces and textures of clothing to make an effortless look. She is bold and original with her sense of fashion, which inspires me to try new things and express my own originality.
Gentle, yet powerful. These are the words that came to mind when I first encountered Emmanuelle Koffi’s Instagram page. Based in France, Miss Koffi’s sense of style speaks to the inner femininity and gentleness within every woman. It inspires women to embrace true feminine energy that finds power in being soft and delicate. She showcases mute and pastel colors in every outfit, which allows for the attention to be taken away from the clothes and directed towards the woman beneath the clothes. She tells a distinct story through the outfits she puts together. Her soft style perfectly narrates the story of a black woman who wishes to remain soft in a world that tries its best to harden her. This story beckons to the black woman who wishes to experience the ease and peace of a small French village within the depths of her spirit, regardless of where she lives.
She inspires me to embrace femininity through the clothes I wear and to also redefine the narrative that attaches fragility to femininity. She reminds me that I can be just as powerful in a pink skirt as I can in a black blazer.
The Queen of DIY and comfort. Rachel Spencer is a fashion influencer from Toronto, CA. You know those moments where you just want to wear a big sweatshirt and leggings, but you also don’t want to look like you just rolled out of bed? Rachel has an effortless way of making baggy sweats look fashionable. She can easily dress up or dress down any outfit and her versatile style can cater to women in various career fields. Rachel’s style speaks to that everyday woman who longs to unite comfort and style.
One of the most distinct aspects of her fashion sense is her ability to turn any thrifted item of clothing into a trendy piece. Her knack for this will alleviate any pressure of spending an entire paycheck on an outfit while also contributing to the health of the environment through upcycled fashion.
Rahel Brhane is the embodiment of joy and body positivity. Not only does she look good in EVERYTHING, but she is a true beauty that radiates a light from within. Her platform inspires curvy women to step out of their comfort zone and most recently, she launched a collaboration with Abercrombie that showcases a new pair of jeans that caters to curvy women. Further, her sunny disposition reminds us that fashion and self-expression should be fun, and stepping into everything you are by changing your hair or wearing what you want, can be the thing that sparks sudden happiness. Her style can be described as sultry and classy with a hint of simplicity. Through her own self-expression, she encourages me to find joy in anything that I wear. Whether it be a basic white button up or a silk dress, I am reminded that fashion can bring authentic happiness to myself and others.
My favorite sister duo. Shelcy and Chrsity’s style mixes their go getter mindset with the vibrancy of their Haitian culture. There’s a sort of “Je ne sais quoi” when it comes to their style. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what it entails. It’s a little bit of everything. One day they are wearing floor length summer dresses and the next day you see them sporting longline blazers and business suits. I believe their sense of style is marriage of their New York City and Haitian cultures. Two cultures that can make something out of nothing and are prone to thinking outside of the limits of society are the source of an elaborate fashion sense that inspires individuals to refuse the attempt at being easily defined.
