Fashion Influencers in the Capital Region

By Maile Barcelon and Coach Carmen Duncan

Influencer Marketing has become a very important strategy for the fashion industry lately, including the retail sector as a whole. That’s why so many people are discovering that they can now make their love for style and clothing an actual career.

Influencers bring a specific audience to a brand and give companies access to followers they once would have not reached. Not only do they bring authenticity to brand collaborations, but if done right, fashion influencers can encourage their followers to purchase. In the long run, companies not only build bigger brand awareness by using influencer marketing, but they also discover new customers that could turn into long term buyers. In the process of building their own personal brands, these fashion influencers also start their own fashion trends too, which end up spurring a consumption of clothing, shoe, or accessory items during a specific period of time. The demand for fashion brands to keep up with forecasts are becoming extremely important just to appease customers. Additionally, social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat just to name a few, are leading consumers to adopt fashion trends quicker than before.

Owner of Broké Clothing

IG @Broke_insufficientfunds

Jovar Bell - Jovar is one of New York’s style trendsetters. He is the founder of the lifestyle clothing brand, BROKÉ. He says “BROKÉ is your new favorite online retail destination. We are where luxury meets streetwear and strive to bring you the latest styles, from design to concept, and straight to your door.”

IG @Team_mell

Mell Meus - Mell discovered his love for the creative world once he entered his professional career as a mortgage loan officer. Between real estate, modeling, and his major involvement in the community, Mell slowly started to grow his footprint here in the Capital Region. Fast forward, a couple of years later, he has become a published model, produced very successful fashion shows/events such as the Forever Young Fashion Show, and is now working behind the scenes as creative director on multiple projects. Mell has proven that you don’t have to live in NYC or any other big city to prosper in the fashion industry and that you can level up in your own backyard!

IG @Michaelbarber117

Michael Barber is a Diversity and Inclusion professional, as well as an advocate for plant-based nutrition and holistic living. He developed his sense of style while living in various parts of New York City and South Beach Florida and being mentored by fashion icons who used their style to unapologetically express themselves.

2022 FASHION INFLUENCER FACTS YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• The influencer marketing industry is trending to reach $16.4B this year • The Number of Influencer Marketing Related Services/Companies Grew by 26% in 2021 and is still growing • Instagram is the preferred social media channel for brands who engage in Influencer Marketing • Video ads are one of the top performing ad formats on Facebook • Instagram is STILL a viable avenue for users to find new products and Services. *Reference: Influencer Marketing Hub Jovar Bell - Jovar is one of New York’s style trendsetters. He is the founder of the lifestyle clothing brand, BROKÉ. He says “BROKÉ is your new favorite online retail destination. We are where luxury meets streetwear and strive to bring you the latest styles, from design to concept, and straight to your door.”