fashion
Male Fashion Icons words by: Muskan Arora design by: Jasmine Snow There are an inescapable number of stereotypes revolving around men’s fashion in modern society. Expectations regarding men’s use of makeup and their fashion statements are now being challenged by the growing phenomenon of male influencers. These Instagram icons are set to break the norms, establish their own personal identity and continuing to connect with their loyal following. While this discussion only allows me to select a few standout examples, this trend is growing all over the world and it is more realistic to view every country as offering icons whose work is beyond commendable. Being an Indian, I am naturally inclined towards highlighting the influencers who are burning down the stereotypes to ashes in a country where men who take care of their skin are considered to be unmanly. My personal favourite is @trevor_stuurman. This absolutely gorgeous influencer has attracted 100,000 followers on Instagram with his subtle, yet playful style. He experiments with colours through patterns on his outfits and the effect is a fabulous look. He is particularly known for his style with prints, whether on his pants, shirt or even shoes, he is known for his trademark style. His look is mesmerising and achieves a “can’t take your eyes off” effect. He has gained recognition from Forbes and is a man who believes in himself; you can see the fire and confidence in every aspect of his fashion sense. Another very talented upcoming Indian fashion influencer is @siddharth93batra who is phenomenal and has been breaking the norms surrounding men and beauty since the day he stepped on Instagram. He makes fashion videos for men and produces content featuring skincare and personal hygiene. He has been brave enough to endure all the nasty comments through his clothing and slays the world of Instagram men’s fashion today. He has faced a lot of hate but is slowly being recognised as people are acknowledging the importance of selfcare and men’s fashion. He has influenced uncountable males in India and is taking the mindset of the country to the greener side. We cannot talk about men’s fashion without mentioning @theebillyporter, who is an actor, writer, singer and director with a flawless fashion sense. He is an angel on this planet who experiments with stripes, funky patterns and all types of materials. Hollywood cannot stereotype its superheroes because we have the very talented Billy to break them to the ground. He doesn’t shy away from mix matching outfits and his famous tuxedo dress won the hearts of millions and set some major fashion goals
for men. He is also known to have the most iconic looks in pride parades. Be it dressing up as a golden bird with metallic wings or wearing frills, he has been an inspiration for us all. The most prominent aspect of his clothing is that his clothes have drama. The colour combinations, the materials chosen, his makeup and ability to accessorise drop a dramatic effect and have a mesmerising vibe. Just looking at his profile, you feel transported into a magical planet with all the best fabrics of the world. Next is the heartthrob Instagrammer of India, @ ranveerallahbadia! He is a youtuber, an entrepreneur and is extremely humble. His style is the quintessentially classic, perfect for those first impressions such as a first date or those all-important interviews and meetings. One can also admire his journey with fashion, when in college, he used to dress perhaps like most boys do, think a classic simple t-shirt with a pair of shorts or jeans and sneakers, even though that style can be pulled off exceptionally, he has arguably reinvented the world of sleek men’s fashion in India and now also has a wider Asian Audience. His ability to accessorise any outfit is also something to admire, proving that with the perfect accessories anyone can ace their desired outfit and create something memorable. Although he perhaps differs from other popular male influencers who desire to break and challenge the stereotypes of men’s fashion through experimenting with their clothing, he is undeniably setting some serious fashion goals. Last, but not least, is a universal favourite with numerous hugely successful hits form Adore You to the sensational Watermelon Sugar. Once in none other than One Direction this artist’s music videos are hugely unique and artistic making him one of the most loved male artists there is. This is none other than the one and only Harry Styles. Every new video brings in a new persona and a mind- blowing style. One of the videos where I absolutely adored him was for the song Falling. The way he was dressed and his beautifully done makeup, not only inspired both males and females alike. His looks on every award show and his stellar Instagram presence makes it difficult for anyone to take their eyes off him. One very prominent feature of his style is that every outfit reflects an emotion which makes his outfits more relatable and meaningful for us. His makeup and accessories complement his outfit, with his personality shining through clearly reflecting the emotions behind the song or his album. Men’s fashion icons are now pervading Instagram and have a huge positive effect on male fashion. Barriers to individual expression are being eroded and the influencers offer a great platform to advance the value of men’s fashion.
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