7 British Fashion Influencers You Need to Know
The growing number of influencers on Instagram may seem daunting or overwhelming, but the wide variety of them provide the social media audience with different tips and aesthetics as they often focus on interactivity and engagement. Many fashion and style influencers collaborate with other brands and provide transparency regarding what they do and what they wear.
In a big city such as London, there are plenty of people who want to share their lifestyles and interests with a global audience, which is provided by Instagram and other social media apps. Creatives and the eminently stylish use their platform to inform and entertain others with their passion for fashion, style, fitness, food and a plethora of other topics. Whether you’re looking for styling tips or just want to follow along on their fashionable journey through life, you should be following these seven UK-based influencers.
@Styledbynana
Nana Acheampong is a London-based fashion stylist and style editor, a role she holds at Fabulous magazine, Britain's best-selling Sunday supplement. She has styled notable figures such as Nicole Scherzinger, Little Mix and Tinie Tempah for editorial shoots as well as red carpets including the BRITs and GQ Awards. In her personal style, which is on full display via her Instagram @styledbynana, she is not afraid of bright colors and bold statement-making looks that extend beyond her clothes to her accessories, hair and nails.
@Melissaswardrobe
Melissa of @Melissaswardrobe is a luxury lifestyle blogger and fashion stylist who has dressed award-winning artist Stormzy for the red carpet. Based in London, Melissa puts together stylish looks and eye-catching outfits in a fresh way. Even though she can be found wearing garments from some of the most prestigious fashion houses in the world, Melissa is known for the tried-and-tested recommendations she makes to her followers, from hair products and skincare treatments to candles from high-street brands and local restaurants, resulting in the popular hashtag #MMMDI, which stands for “Melissa Made Me Do It”. Despite the luxury clothes, accessories, and even the food, the appeal of @Melissaswardrobe is in giving followers a glimpse into an aspirational world that feels like a dream but somehow still remaining accessible in a way that everyone can relate to.
@Tostos_
Fashion and beauty creator Alexandriah Sho-Silva studied architecture at university but her Instagram account @tostos_ is a platform to display her passion for fashion. Documenting her personal style, interior design, travels and favorite brunch spots, Alexandriah presents her life in a clean and pampered way, but remains transparent with her followers about her life and her style. Many of the pieces she wears come from affordable stores such as H&M, Zara and Asos, and she makes her page feel open and welcoming in a sophisticated way.
@Eniswardrobe
If you’re looking for a fun and flirty style and tips on how to style your summer dresses, @eniswardrobe is the perfect place to start. Eni Ilori is blogger, YouTuber and stylist with a focus on petite women. She creates short video clips of her weekly outfits or a compilation of monochromatic looks that show the versatility of her closet. And no matter where the pieces are from, Eni always pulls together a cute and feminine ensemble that compliments her petite frame very well. A lot of her content is very visual and interactive, and she even has an IGTV series called “Wardrobe Reborn,” providing styling tips and a breakdown of her individual style.
@Lovecass_
Some social media personalities choose to focus their platforms on a specific topic that they have experience, knowledge or passion for. Cassandra of @lovecass_ covers a little bit of everything on her page, giving workout and healthy eating tips while also sharing inspirational posts that all help to build her aesthetic. She uses her Instagram as any user would, to document her life in the ways that she wants to.
@Zeenaxena
With her signature long ponytail and huge hoop earrings, blogger Zeena Xena showcases her casual personal style on Instagram, with a penchant for cool whites and nude hues. Her account, @zeenaxena, displays shows of clean lines and natural backgrounds, allowing her outfits to stand out. Zeena is also very transparent and passionate about epilepsy awareness as someone who suffers from seizures herself. She uses her platform for fashion, awareness along with promotion of her accessories brand, @byzeena
@Illyanalondon
After the past year spent inside for quarantine, many of us have become proud plant parents, including @illyanalondon, who is very passionate about her house plants and her floral patterns. With an account that screams “cottagecore”, Illyana Mputu loves a good flowy dress, in pastel and muted colors, peppered with flowers. She is often outdoors, in dark woods or open fields stressing her ties to the natural world and its beauty. Her captions often include advice, words of affirmation and questions to engage her audience and let us know that she cares about interactivity.
Words by Claire Blaha