Are Fashion Influencers Becoming More Insightful Than Magazines? Mina Le, Hautelemode & ‘The Fashion Archive’
Mina Le
Over the course of the pandemic, and especially in the course of my writing for MATERIAL, I have been reading a lot more about fashion and fashion-related news. Almost everyday, I read runway reviews, fashion essays, and pieces about new techniques in fashion, but I have started to notice a shift in my exploration: I am starting to listen more than read. That’s not to say that I am not reading books (after all, I am an English Literature graduate), but the powerful impact that social media influencers have in disclosing their thoughts and enlightening their fan base to newer subjects in fashion has been significant in helping me understand how I want to develop my own journey in the industry. These most recently include Mina Le, an old favourite Hautelemode, and The Fashion Archive, previously quoted in one of my previous articles on representation. All of these individuals keep me hooked on fashion in modern ways, dissecting their thoughts and feelings while exposing key sectors of the industry. So, as an homage to those who have inspired me greatly, here is some information on who they are and why you should also be following them.
Mina Le
Mina Le is one of the newer additions to my subscriber list. She came up as a recommendation when I was researching Cruella for a recent review, and immediately captivated me, introducing ideas that are built on a backbone of research and fashion knowledge whilst at the same time being comedic and thoughtful. Mina is so insightful because her videos completely delve into topics via an almost essay-like structure, with ideas flowing effortlessly throughout the 20-minute average footage. She implements research into her thought process, and these shape her conclusions, bringing fashion to life in a dynamic way which encourages the watcher to explore further. Though her focus area is fashion, she also picks up on niches that might benefit from further discussion, e.g. episodes such as “Studio Ghibli: How Clothing Shapes Identity” or “Gen Z vs Millennials: Who’s Right About Their Jeans?”
Mina Le started her YouTube channel a little over a year ago, and it's impressive to see just how much she has grown in such a short space of time. She is now at around 575k subscribers on YouTube, and 113k followers on Instagram - and growing fast. If you like exploring niches in fashion in a highly educational way, then Mina is for you!
Instagram / YouTube: gremlita / https://www.youtube.com/c/minale99/videos
Hautelemode
If you have watched any runway reviews on YouTube, then you will already know Hautelemode. Luke Meagher, the influencer who focuses on luxury fashion and runway reviews, has been creating content for years, solidifying his reputation as an unapologetic critic with very insightful and educated opinions. Part of his appeal as a social media influencer is his deeply analytical take on fashion designers and houses, from their discourse to their origins and growth (or not - things don’t always get better over time). It’s clear to viewers that Luke has a very good practical knowledge of the industry, as well as connections with the brands and designers he is discussing, encouraging ‘ordinary’ viewers to learn more about fashion and how it impacts vast areas of society. Luke also has a podcast called The Fashion Victims, made in collaboration with Darnell Jamal, a fashion historian and his close friend. In this weekly podcast, they discuss ongoing topics in fashion (such as Cruella), as well as further reviewing fashion books, runways and Fashion Weeks. If you are interested in luxury fashion as a craft and the houses that are predominant in the industry, then this social media influencer is a must. Check him out!
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoEj4uRzynPXEEegNqMnJVw
The Fashion Archive
The Fashion Archive was one of my very first go-tos when it comes to fashion education, mainly due to its niche in exploring the industry. The Fashion Archive is a fashion media platform focusing on fashion news, history, and runway analysis. It is run by Central Saint Martins journalism student Odunayo Ojo, a recent magazine founder and well-known in the fashion industry. Though he has a smaller following, his fan base is dedicated and fashion-specific, as his content is aimed specifically at those who want to learn more about the industry and less about how to ‘wear’ fashion in the mainstream. Fashion business is at the heart of what he does, and he discusses topics as diverse as sustainability, greenwashing, and representation. In terms of luxury and corporate fashion, Odunayo also discusses how to become a successful fashion designer, how to make money in fashion, and how luxury brands make money, whilst also looking at fashion history and breaking traditionalist opinions with more modern perspectives. Odunayo started his YouTube channel around three years ago, and his knowledge on what makes the wheels go round in industry has only grown since then. His ability to convey an insightful opinion, backed up with insider knowledge, really helps readers to understand that fashion isn’t just about clothing, but the social effect it has as well.
If you would like to learn more about the industry, The Fashion Archive provides a speedy and practical reference point for what you should be researching, and will help you be more critical towards fashion history and trends.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheFashionArchive/videos
Overall, these influencers are an excellent example of how individuals can learn about fashion away from the traditional route of formal education. Education is expensive, and fashion is so multifaceted and interdisciplinary that you can pretty much learn about it from other subjects of study as well. It has links towards every subject area, as everything around us has connotations with the human visual depiction found in fashion and clothing. We all wear clothes, so fashion has a social effect, and without it, there wouldn’t be influence. Social media makes learning about this industry cheaper and easier, with more concise, targeted content - the future of learning might just be digital.