In the age of Tiktok, with an all time high of users across all social media platforms, we are seeing a boom in the fashion industry - more content is being pushed out constantly and there are more consumers to interact, share and develop an opinion - which means almost anyone can show the world their style, and the world can take inspiration from anyone, anywhere. With content so accessible, social media platforms are pushing celebrities and everyone else to our 'for you page', giving us a chance to interact, creating new influencers and style icons, seemingly overnight, which has brought on The Curse Of The Micro-Trend (which is a topic for another day). This year, we have seen the rise of fashion lovers, with certain creators and celebrities coming out on top, as clear style icons that are paving the way for the fashion industry, from luxury brands all the way down to the everyday person, at home, watching their favourite fashion creator make an 'outfit of the day' video. Let's take a look at some of the icons that have driven the fashion scene in 2023.
Julia Fox
In 2023, we are at a point in fashion where we feel we have seen everything, and seen it overdone already. Most brands and creators are regurgitating the same things we've seen before over and over again, in a new colour, or new material, or new variation - like mini skirts, becoming micro skirts, becoming belt skirts - when almost the only real way to create
something completely new now is in the styling. One of the only people still pushing us in a new direction is Julia Fox. Not only is she making positive waves with her opinions, political views, iconic hairstyles and makeup looks all over social media, she is potentially the most recognisable figure this year in terms of making iconic movements in fashion. It's refreshing and exciting to see Julia's style, whether it's on the runway, red carpet or spotted on the street, as she's not afraid to play it a little risqué, with barely there silhouettes or leather bondage-esque moments. We've also seen her be a little more casual, making references to style icons like Princess Diana, or lean into the y2k playfulness.
Jacob Elordi
Not only is Jacob Elordi gorgeous, he has an incredible sense of personal style. We rarely see men that know how to put together a cohesive outfit - in our personal lives and in the celebrity world - let alone one that inspires thousands of men around the world to start to be more thoughtful about the
way they dress and try to replicate his outfits. Not only has he blown up on every social media platform - particularly pinterest - for his simple, cool style, his also owns and perfectly styles an enviable bag collection. From Bottega Veneta to Chanel, mini to maxi, Jacob always seems to carry a bag that pulls together each outfit and elevates every look without seeming gimmicky or forced. It is extremely powerful to have such an influential man make intentional fashion and self care the standard for men too, when things like carrying a bag have always seemed like feminine things to do. Jacob's style is almost like how you wish your boyfriend would dress, but simple as it is to replicate, no-one seems to pull off his style quite like he does.
Emma Chamberlain
From daily vlogs in her home bedroom, to interviewing anyone who's anyone on the steps of the Met Gala, Emma has already had one of the most incredible developing careers that we have seen, happen 100% through social media.
As we have watched her grow up, it has been a journey to see her style evolution, from the plaid pants, crop tops and converse, to immaculately styled haute couture pieces as well as a diverse yet cohesive personal street style. Whether being dressed by Cartier, Louis Vuitton and Thom Browne, or pulling thrifted looks together - with her incredible stylist: Jared Ellner - for day to day wear, she is always bound to end up on millions of style inspiration boards on pinterest, as well as any best dressed list going. This year, Emma has branched out into different cultural styles, superbrands and small brands, vintage designer and finds from goodwill, which has set her apart as someone who can seemingly pull of any aesthetic, and always in a new, exciting and personal way.
Bella Hadid
It wouldn't be a list of style icons without mentioning Bella. Not only does she serve every single look on the runway, she is one of the most recognisable icons of this generation for immaculate and stimulating street style. Her personal sense of style is easily identifiable, as from look to look - even
though she may be channeling dainty fairy vibes one day, and leather matrix vibes the next - all of her looks are pulled together by a curated colour palette, brilliant use of shaping and materials, to create an overall look from pieces that should never have been worn together, but on Bella, they just work. She is seemingly a clothing chameleon, which is rare in an era where most celebrities and style icons have a very consistent wardrobe, that can become predictable from the carpet to the sidewalk. If she's not jumping into the deep end of old fashion trends from decades ago, she's creating them, time after time. If this list had a top spot, it would be for Bella.
Manu Rios
Starting by posting in the early youtube days, Manu has been on the internet for over a decade now but has blown up massively in the last year. From finding success on the Spanish hit Netflix show ‘Élite’, Manu’s socials have hit millions of followers seemingly out of nowhere. Not only is
he possibly the most attractive man alive, he knows how to dress. From breathtaking Saint Laurent looks at Cannes Film Festival, to edgy knits on Vogue covers as well as casual street style, he is able to dress for any occasion and always make basics look elevated. His recent endeavour, starting a fashion brand ‘Carrer’ with stylist Marc Forne - also on this list - really cemented him as a driving force of iconic style this year. His has a really timeless and simple style that makes sense for someone that is always moving in different spaces.
Zendaya
At this point, Zendaya is a permanent fixture in the fashion industry, but this year, although we saw the least appearances and content from her in a long time, everytime she showed up she showed everyone up.
No-one seems to devour a red carpet or high fashion event quite like Zendaya, and this year she stepped it up, again! At the SAG awards she stunned in a baby pink Valentino gown, adorned with hand-crafted rosettes. She took the NMACC Gala by storm in a gold and purple saree by Rahul Mishra, displaying her iconic ability to shapeshift her style to accommodate any occasion. All said, Zendaya is the poster-girl for how to secure the top spot on any best dressed list.
Marc Forne
Marc Forne has also been taking the internet by storm this year, whether you realise it or not. Known predominantly through his work as a stylist to Manu Rios and most recently, Troye Sivan - two names that have been making massive waves in 2023 -
he has composed impeccable looks for clients just going about their day, to dressing celebrities for the Met Gala. With such success as a stylist, his socials have been booming and with that, people are turning to him, to see what sort of style he has personally - to be able to put together such intriguing looks for his clients. All this attention has seen him become someone to keep your eye out for when it comes to street style and red carpet events, not only for his work on others, but now his own outfits too. Alongside Manu Rios, he has created a new brand 'Carrer' which launched this October, offering a limited line of elevated basics for all customers that can be dressed in a multitude of ways. We aren't sure as of yet how big this brand could be, or what Marc's work could lead to in the future, but as of now, he is becoming a very prominent figure in the industry and has incredible potential.
Troye Sivan styled by Marc Forne
Daniel Millar
The youngest person on this list - Daniel Millar - is the only person here that doesn't have stylist at all, yet is showing the world his individual style via an insane 2.2 million followers on Tiktok.
Daniel is a model and now social media influencer, that has caught the attention of many big brands and fashion icons; photoshoots with Damon Baker, events with Yves Saint Laurent and much more. Other than his lovably genuine and slightly dark, humorous personality, he shares 'Get Ready With Me' or 'Fit Check' content on his socials, displaying an eye for fashion that feels timeless (much more knowledgeable than most his age), yet seemingly of a particular era with each look, sometimes delving into a Russian Winter-esque glam with fur coats or leaning into punk with rough hair and metal chains, even playing into the 80's 'John Bender from The Breakfast Club' style with intentional layering, utilitarian boots and thrifted finds.
Anok Yai
Another model to leave a permanent impression on the fashion industry in 2023, is Anok Yai. It is more difficult than ever for a model to make a wave in fashion in this generation, but with some iconic runways and personal style
viral moments in the last year, Anok has quickly become on of the most anticipated attendees at red carpets and glamorous events. Her street style is in complete contrast to her intense glamour in the professional scene, a very striking and daring wardrobe of pieces like thigh-high boots, crazy-cut crop tops and maxi bags. Whether she is on the runway or spotted running errands off-duty, the best way to describe her fashion fingerprint is 'Bad Bitch', she demands respect and attention by showing up consistently with enviable confidence and outfits that you wish you could pull off. Even if you don't recognise her name, you are bound to be familiar (and in love with) the jaw dropping Prabal Gurung masterpiece she wore to the Met Gala for Karl Lagerfeld in May.
Sora Choi
Sora Choi is among a new dawn of rising supermodels, being cast in every major show from Prada and Fendi to Coperni and Versace. She has a captivatingly feminine look as a model, but her personal style screams androgynous and at times, intentionally
masculine. It is really refreshing to see someone play into a completely different style and aesthetic than you would expect from them and it shows the world that you really can dress any way you like and look bloody good doing it. Sora leans into the workwear, oversized, cargo-type aesthetic - wearing tailored suits in typically men's structures, or leather boots and jackets for a cool-kid, biker vibe - and seems to be a calculated scruffy dresser that always ends up looking runway ready. As a South Korean, she is really bringing much needed attention to the world of talent, fashion, art and culture from her country that we all are in awe of. Some of her most iconic fashion moments include a Mugler campaign or Thom Browne tweed for the Met.
Margot Robbie
2023 was the year of Barbie, which consequently means that it was a year for Margot Robbie. Recently out of the clutches of an unforgiving Chanel contract which saw Margot reach many worst dressed lists, we are finally seeing her play with colour, styling and glamour a ton more on red carpet and in
street style looks (curated and planned as they might be). Robbie has traded in the shackles disguised as Chanel gowns for a more playful and fitting style, including designers like Bottega Veneta and Versace. Most of all, it has been a year of pink, with Margot smashing look after look in hot pinks, pastels and everything 'Barbie' in between. Not only have we seen historical fashion moments on the carpet and on the big screen, Margot has also stepped up her game in her day to day life - wouldn't we all if we had cameras clicking with our every move - with simple, classy get-ups including oversized jackets, neon bags for a pop of colour and cute red heels.
Olivia Neill
Another social media star growing her following almost as fast as her fashion sense develops is Olivia Neill, one of my personal favourites on this list. At only 22, Olivia has an amazing style the feels eclectic yet incredibly diverse. She seems to be a british Emma Chamberlain, in the
sense that we have watched her go from baggy hoodies and leggings to front row at sought after fashion shows like Miu Miu. Her short tiktoks and instagram stories give us a little glimpse into her day to day wardrobe and every look she puts together is better than the last. It's no wonder many high fashion brands have reached out and started working with her, after seeing her apparent devotion to fashion and developing her personal style. Not many can pull off sexy, hidden-gem designer couture dresses just as well as they do football tees and low-rise jeans, the way Olivia does. She seems to morph perfectly into whatever event she ends up in, whether it's a pilates class with Alo, a Mayfair dinner party, or front row at fashion week.
Sofia Richie
This list wouldn't be complete without mentioning Sofia Richie, potentially one of the biggest influencers to rise on social media in 2023 - that can actually put together an outfit - as the rise (and fall) of the old money/quiet luxury aesthetic took the internet by storm.
Sofia (daughter of Lionel Richie) boomed on Tiktok and has accrued 3.4 million followers on the platform, sharing videos of herself getting ready for glamorous events, as far as her own multi-million dollar wedding. Of course with a seemingly infinite budget and a lifestyle that demands black tie attire and designer pieces as the norm, it's easy to assume that dressing well is simple, but Sofia deserves her spot on this list for her unrivaled influence on the 1 billion Tiktok users in 2023. Countless trends and even fashion movements like the previously mentioned old money and quiet luxury core that have made their way into the collection of major fashion houses, can be seen going viral through Sofia's socials over the last year.
Kylie Jenner
Of all the Kardashian-Jenners, the last person the world expected to become a fashion mogul was Kylie. For years we have seen her in what could only be described as 'BBL fashion', the kind of clothes that no-one would be surprised to hear that they were from Shein or Fashion Nova. Out of nowhere Kylie has been seen at Paris Haute Couture week looking like a goddess
in Schiaparelli, getting down and dirty in provoking editorial shoots for Acne Studios - completely outshining Kendall - or channeling timeless old hollywood glamour in the South of France. Rounding the year off by dropping her new line Khy - said to offer investment pieces (likely at a Kardashian price tag), wardrobe staples and basics inspired by Kylie's personal style - it's clear Kylie has been attempting to redirect her career in the direction of fashion to become a figure that people want to associate with as a style icon; and it has worked. I'm very intrigued to see what 'Khy' will put out, as well as what other iconic looks will come from Kylie in the next year.
Special Mentions
Of course, I could write for days about 100's of celebrities that have had an undeniable impact of fashion for the masses in 2023, but this blog would be longer than Crime and Punishment. So to round off, here are some style icons that didn't make the final cut, but are ones to draw inspiration and watch out for nonetheless.
- Austin Butler
- Billie Eilish
- Anne Hathaway
- Dua Lipa
- Alton Mason
- Jennifer Lawrence
If you liked this post, click the next link to head on over to Top Fashion Moments of 2023 (part 1)
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