In the fast-paced world of social media, luxury fashion influencers have become the tastemakers and trendsetters of the digital era. Where once upon a time, fashion magazines and catwalk shows were the only ways to keep abreast of the latest high-end fashion trends, these days, inspiration is at our fingertips in just a scroll and a few taps of our smartphone screens, and such is our appetite for style inspiration that luxury fashion influencing has become a lucrative career path.
With the power to shape perceptions, drive sales and influence the fashion landscape, it’s little wonder the world’s most coveted brands are clamouring to work with the biggest style influencers on the block, but competition is fierce, and only those that stand out from the crowd will win in the long-term.
Whether you’re new to the world of influencing or have dreams of starting on this exciting path in the new year, with a few simple tricks up your sleeve, you can build the aesthetic and personal brand you need to succeed. We asked leading fashion photographer Daria Koso to give us the inside scoop on how to do it.
Curate a sophisticated feed
Curating a sophisticated feed is integral to every high-end fashion influencer’s success – especially in the realm of luxury. Your social media profiles serve as your digital portfolios and the more visually stunning and cohesive they are, the better they will reflect that sense of elegance and opulence you’re aiming to become known for. Not only that, but high-quality, professionally shot reels and imagery will help you to garner the attention of iconic brands and boost your chances of securing some truly prestigious partnerships, which will in turn uplevel your reputation and your bank balance, too.
Invest in professional photography
Enlisting the help of a professional photographer to help bring your dream feed aesthetic to life might just be one of the best investments you’ll ever make, and if you’re committed to your new path as an influencer then it could come back to you many times over in the long-run. A skilled professional photographer will be able to capture the essence of your style in a way that transcends the ordinary, elevating the quality of your content and contributing to the overall aesthetic appeal of your brand – positioning you as a leading fashion influencer and one to watch.
Prioritise authenticity
Even so, in a world of precisely these types of carefully curated feeds, which tend to depict only the most perfect of lives, authenticity is becoming just as highly prized as beautiful content. The influencers seeing the most success online now are those who are willing to show who they really are – and that sometimes, things go wrong for them, too. There’s no denying that brand deals and immaculately styled shots are what initially draw people in, but building a genuine connection with your audience by letting your personality shine through is what will really resonate and keep them engaged, instead of scrolling on by until they land on the next big influencer.
Collaborate strategically
Whilst it can be tempting to jump at the chance of every lucrative brand partnership that comes your way, ensuring that they align with your own personal brand is key.
By choosing only brands that complement your image, you’ll ensure a seamless integration of sponsored content into your feed that really appeals to your following, and avoid turning them off with posts they deem as irrelevant. Opt for brands that you truly love and whose products you already enjoy using, wearing and showcasing in your content, and you’ll have a surefire recipe for success.
Stay ahead of industry trends
It likely goes without saying, but to remain at the forefront of luxury fashion influencing, keeping your finger on the pulse of the latest style trends is key. That means attending fashion shows, reading fashion magazines and following key designers and other influencers is essential to ensure that you’re able to spot them as they emerge, because there’s nothing worse than a fashion influencer who is always late to the party when your audience are relying on you for up-to-the-minute inspiration. By staying ahead of the curve, you’ll instead position yourself as an authority on the latest style trends, and your content will remain relevant, engaging, and current.
Engage with your audience
Building a community by engaging with your followers is another important move that will set you apart from the competition. People like to follow influencers they can relate to and who show their human side, so appearing aloof and failing to reply to comments is the ultimate turn off. It’s understandable that you might not be able to return to every DM when your audience is in the many thousands or even millions, but by creating content around their questions and sharing interactive polls and quizzes on your stories and asking for feedback you can ensure that there is always a two-way conversation going on. Actively involving them in your content creation process not only fosters a sense of community but will also help to strengthen your influence – and showing appreciation for the support your followers provide will ensure they stick around.
