I nfluencers have perfected the craft of turning what one might consider nothing, into something. Among the Instagram melting pot of filler photos and discount codes, lies the controversial discussion of whether content creators are really even that creative at all. I mean, is the grainy picture of a nightstand with a too-beautiful-to-burn candle on it really the ideal aesthetic, or have we all just been conditioned to believe so? Influencers perfectly curate their feeds with neutral-toned clothing and color-conscious living rooms, alongside the most aesthetically pleasing posts of city streets, coffee shops and grocery stores. Similarly to how an artist can see the exciting potential of a blank canvas, influencers have an eye for content that will build their digital portfolios, even if it is just a simple picture of their morning matcha latte next to a Prada nylon mini bag. Where one person parks their car, a content creator stages a photoshoot. Have you even been on Instagram if you haven’t seen a fashion blogger posing in a parking garage? 2020 was an interesting year for creatives: while some individuals’ creativity flourished under the new stay-at-home circumstances, others were greatly challenged. Maybe this is why your favorite fashion blogger recently dressed up to pose in the wine aisle of her local Trader Joe’s, rather than her usual street style candids in Tompkins Square. The deep burgundy and champagne tones among the supermarket shelves are fun to see at first; but they quickly become exhausting. Your Instagram feed will quickly fill with the repetition of other bloggers also putting on their newest Chanel sandals and posing in front of $20.00 Trader Joe’s Pinot Noirs. With creativity comes originality–a term that many influencers have been straying further away from. To me, the Instagram culture is most similar to the classic “ Mean Girls ” quote: “I sawCady Heron wearing army pants and flip-flops, so I bought army pants and flip-flops.” Instead, it is now: “I saw her take a picture in the Ultrafragola Mirror by Ettore Sottsass, so I took a picture in the Ultrafragola Mirror by Ettore Sottsass.” Are influencers living up to their title because of their influence on the average consumer or is it actually their strong influence on eachother? Fashion is more than just the clothing we put on our bodies; it’s a form of creative expression and an opportunity to show theworldwhowe are as individuals without having to say it. But now, it seems everyone ends up wearing the same outfit. Influencers are sticking to the same color schemes, which are currently confined to the shades of browns, olives, and creams, and wearing the same shoes, specifically Zara’s Low Heel. Our sources of fashion inspirations are becoming as predictable as the Trader Joe’s wine aisle Pinot Noir snapshot. Nonetheless, we turn to these creators because they appear tobe
more relatable than our Hollywood heros. They offer accessible clothing from affordable fast fashion brands (such as Princess Polly and Urban Outfitters) but don’t touch products of luxury designers. Influencers have also provided us with a sense of cleanliness, organization and stability throughout the pandemic with their consistent use of natural lighting, minimal editing and posed candid content. They make us feel as though our own lives are as put together as their Pinterest mood boards. We feel a sense of contentment when we order a simple cup of matcha, even if it is just from a nearby Starbucks and not a quaint, hidden coffeehouse. The fantasy of the quaint hidden coffeehouse lives on–if only in our minds.
Am I still going to use the discount codes influencers offer? Absolutely! Are their Instagram stories the first thing I click through when I wake up in the morning? Definitely. But do I think the title
content “creator” should be reserved for those who are truly pushing creativity and authenticity into social media? Yes. And I realize that the cultural shift has to start with me. I need to
be satisfiedwith a simple lavender vanilla HomeGoods candle as opposed to one that matches my minimalist and Pinterest worthy Instagram aesthetic. •
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker