Image via Complex Original
The term "Influencer" definitely gets thrown around too much these days, to the point that it's lost some of its power. Anyone can claim the title, but what really constitutes influence? When it comes to Instagram, the rules of influence are fluid, but if a dude's filtered photos are making you want to dress better, fuck with new brands and styles, and/or educating you on shit you didn't know then he is shifting your mindset and aesthetics. This is an influencer.
A big following definitely means that a dude has a large amount of authority, but followers and significant sway don't have to go hand-in-hand. Several of the people on this list provide a rare window into the world of fashion and style that people outside the industry will never see, but share this glimpse with a relatively small audience. Most importantly, the people on this list use Instagram as a vehicle to showcase their knowledge and access to an audience that hangs on their words and thoughts. If your Instagram feed is slackin', these are The Style Influencers You Should Follow on Instagram.
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@dennistodisco
Real Name: Dennis Todisco
Followers: 16,236
What You'll See: A bunch of dope #outfitgrids; art; soon-to-be-popped bottles; mad doughnuts
Why You Should Follow: The man behind Diamond's social media and marketing would of course have an awesome Instagram feed. And of course he'd invent @OutfitGrid, which has the masses artfully arranging their day's kit for the chance to be showcased on @OutfitGrid's 24,000 followers. Any true streetwear fan will be interested in what makes Diamond tick, and following Dennis is a way to peep the machinery behind one of the greatest streetwear brands of all time.
@upscale_vandal
Real Name: Mike Camargo
Followers: 12,830
What You'll See: An endless amount of limited-edition pieces and designer clothes; behind the scenes photos with Pusha-T and Pharrell; news on side projects
Why You Should Follow: Mike Camargo is involved with both BBC and En Noir, as well as a few other side projects. By being near the top of two brands that are merking it right now, dude gets his hands on seriously rare pieces, such as one of the three BBC Wolfman moto jackets. Follow the Upscale Vandal to see what happens behind the curtain at two brands at the apex of the game.
@nixcruz
Real Name: Nic Screws
Followers: 1,929
What You'll See: Tons of photos from press previews and market appointments
Why You Should Follow: While you're trying to figure out what to wear for today's weather, editors are working with and thinking about the clothes that are set to drop three to six months in the future. As a fashion editor at Esquire, Nic Screws is constantly viewing next season's collections and sharing what she sees with her audience. A lot of influential people on Instagram will just showcase their brand, or their homie's label, but the self-proclaimed Lady Esquire provides a very wide window into the upcoming collections of many, many brands.
@eugenekan
Real Name: Eugene Kan
Followers: 6,527
What You'll See: The streetwear scene in Hong Kong and Tokyo; the silliness happening in the Hypebeast headquarters; delicious food
Why You Should Follow: Don't you want to see how it all goes down at the Hypebeast HQ? Eugene is also a great Instagrammer of the happenings in the streetwear worlds of Hong Kong, Tokyo, and wherever else he jets off to. Following the number two employee at Hypebeast will let you see how kids are killing it in the Far East. Warning: don't look at his feed if you're trynna get cut before beach season. You'll cheat.
@guillermoandrade
Real Name: Guillermo Andrade
Followers: 8,991
What You'll See: V advanced streetwear; highly coveted collaborations; editorial photoshoots with dope brands
Why You Should Follow: Guillermo is the dude behind the L.A. shop FourTwoFour on Fairfax, the sneaker accessory line Sneaker Crowns, and the jewelry company KG & Co. Guillermo's store stocks brands that get immediate co-signs, including Rhude, UEG, and AF-1 exclusives. The Guatemalan-born Andrade is super tapped into the burgeoning L.A. street scene, and his Instagram is a must-follow for anyone interested in street wear or want to peep the life of a niche boutique owner.
@marcustroy
Real Name: Marcus Troy
Followers: 9,008
What You'll See: Classic brands; new labels; kicks on a plane; snapshots from cultural capitals around the world
Why You Should Follow: Whether he's showing how to wear a classic brand in a modern way, or introducing his followers to a new label, Marcus Troy stays influencing. He's one of the few bloggers that turned an initial interest in menswear into a full-time pursuit that has him jet-setting and documenting style around the world, and his Instagram is a great vehicle for his followers to tag along.
@chrisunion
Real Name: Chris Gibbs
Followers: 3,369
What You'll See: Art; brands that Union are stocking up on; food and traveling pics from buying trips
Why You Should Follow: Union is easily one of the best shops in the US right now, and the man behind the magic is Chris Gibbs. As the head honcho at the L.A. based shop, Gibbs trots around the globe finding sick brands and giving his followers a brief glimpse at what they can expect to find on his shelves. And like any true influencer, his scope isn't limited to clothing. Chris' love of art, food, and culture shines through his feed, and we could all take a lesson from his snapshots.
@virgilabloh
Real Name: Virgil Abloh
Followers: 40,920
What You'll See: #Been #Trill vibes; Pyrex Vision developments; pics from parties you wish you were at
Why You Should Follow: This is the dude who's had his hand in some of the most exciting projects and developments of the past few years, and you need a reason why you should follow the visual documentation of his day-to-day life? Virgil's Instagram is usually the only way anyone can get any scant details on #Been #Trill, Pyrex, Donda, and who knows what else. If that's the the stuff that you're interested in seeing on your feed, then why'd you even get this far in this list?
@younglord
Real Name: A$AP Bari
Followers: 13,019
What You'll See: Lots of black clothing; hazy party photos; sizzurp; upcoming VLONE drops
Why You Should Follow: Tracking the day-to-day of one of A$AP Mob's founding members means an inside look at the kits, inspirations, and what's on deck for one of the most stylish crews in hip-hop history. A$AP Rocky's meteoric rise means that yes, the clothes have gotten weirder, and Bari's the main dude at the forefront of whatever's next. Lucky for us, he's putting that on display on his Instagram.