Your Next Favorite Influencers
By Megan Rex
It's 1952 and Christian Dior’s “New Look” defines fashion with voluminous skirts, cinched waists, and luxurious fabrics framing the feminine silhouette. Hollywood glows with Grace Kelly’s elegance, while rock and roll gives fashion culture its edge. Nearly a century later, we’re scrolling our Instagram feeds instead of watching the silver screen as social media influencers shape what we wear, buy, and call “in style.” In a world overflowing with content, inspiration moves fast. Everyone borrows and recycles ideas, but only a few have the knack for turning outdated concepts into something fresh and relevant to today’s fashion scene. This year, smaller influencers with under one million followers are leading the movement. So give 2025’s rising creators a like and a follow on Instagram, and ask yourself, which new fashion influencematches your vibe?
Samantha Clarke Barnett (@samiclarke):
Samantha is the co-founder of the activewear brand FORM. Her feed features wellness, healthy minimalism, and clips from her podcast, Transform. Her overall aesthetic includes elevated athleisure, travel, and an active lifestyle.
Autumn Raphael (@autumnmarieraphael):
Autumn blends vintage-inspired pieces with modern trends, creating a style that’s both trendy and timeless. Her feed features city and beach photos, along with lifestyle content. She also posts style guides and fashion inspiration. Autumn’s look is chic and put-together, leaning toward neutral colors with pops of brightness. Overall, her audience follows her for her feminine yet sophisticated vibe.
Indya Brown (@indyabrown):
Indya is a stylist and former editor for Who What Wear, The Cut, and New York Magazine. Her feed includes pops of color and darker neutrals, often styled with elevated basics and bold statement pieces. She also posts aesthetically curated images and GRWM reels. Indya’s aesthetic is sleek, yet she manages to make bold statements with her everyday outfits.
Abby Silverman (@abby.silverman):
Abby is the digital creative director for Cosmopolitan and the founder of the jewelry brand Tame New York. Her feed is bold and maximalist without being overwhelming. Abby’s style heavily features layering and jewelry, showcasing her confidence and creativity.
Linda Sza (@linda.sza):
Linda mixes vintage pieces with streetwear, creating creative outfits you won’t find every day. Her feed includes effortlessly styled, cool looks that blend thrifted and vintage finds with contemporary pieces. Linda’s aesthetic has an urban feel, curating an authentic and artistic style while staying true to herself.
Skyelar Chase (@skyelarchase):
Skyelar is currently a student at Columbia University. Her feed leans darker and embodies sophistication through travel and fashion, creating an overall luxurious vibe. Her outfits include timeless yet current pieces, and she often posts images and reels from luxury fashion shows such as Dolce & Gabbana. Skyelar’s aesthetic is elegant and refined, with a touch of glamour.
This fall and winter season reflects the influence of these creators. The trends we’re seeing channel aesthetics like country chic, elevated minimalism, and bohemian equestrian, with color palettes of butter yellow, chocolate brown, bold red, and plum, accented by playful animal prints. Yet the most important trend of all is authenticity. These influencers express their true selves through style, inspiring others to discover their own fashion identity.