Style influencer Kanye West once said, “I want to stop using the word fashion…I will help people follow the law in style.”
When Kanye West expressed this, he pointed out the difference between fashion and style. Fashion is external. It focuses on one’s outer appearance. A person wearing Balenciaga sneakers or a Gucci sweater has a high sense of fashion.
Fashion also involves trends. For instance, back in the 1990s, the Air Max 95 sneaker was very popular within urban communities. Over time, hype over the footwear faded away. But recently, the footwear regained its popularity.
Whereas fashion is external, style is both internal and external. Style is more about swag than clothing and footwear. It incorporates both personality and physical appearance. A person wearing a Fendi sweater may look less appealing than someone wearing a plain top from H&M. And so, style is more about the person rather than what he or she is wearing. Fashion designer Yves Saint Lauren even said, “Fashions fade, style is internal”
Many fashion icons prefer style over fashion. Kanye West is a prime example. He wore Brian Dead x Gustavo Sweats more than once in the same week. The media blasted him for doing that. Despite the criticism he still appealed to consumers. By matching the sweats with customized clothing he showcased his expressive and unique sense of style.
Like Kanye West, other style influencers create their own fashion trends and adapt to their clothing styles. They come from all walks of life. Here are some style influencers:
Keith Carlos definitely exudes style. Growing up in the tough city of Bridgeport, CT he was able to overcome many boundaries and make a name for himself. He has had major career accomplishments while working in sports and fashion. He is the first male to win the America’s Next Top Model.
Daniel Day, also known as Dapper Dan, is a fashion mogul. Originally from Harlem, NY he opened a luxury boutique named after himself in his hometown. The Dapper Dan’s boutique was so popular that people from different cities would travel to Harlem just to shop there. Just recently Daniel Day partnered with Gucci.
Irvin Handle aka Mr. Steal Your Grandma, is a true example of aging with grace. He’s an influencer, educator, and model. He has his own website, irvinrandleonline.com, where he provides tips on fashion and grooming.
Stefan-Pierre Tomlin, 28, also known as Mr. Tinder was born in London, England. He began his modeling career at the young age of 18. He has appeared in multiple publications including Vogue and GQ. Stefan is a supermodel, tv presenter, and entrepreneur.
You might know this star from the hit Bet television show, Hustle. Randy Bowden Jr., originally from Birmingham, Alabama graduated from The University of Alabama. He pursued a successful career in modeling and acting working along side Safaree, Nick and Joe Jonas, and other celebrities. He appeared in several magazines including Complex Magazine, Vice Magazine, and Nylon Magazine.
Travis is an Austin, TX native and has been working as a style blogger, model, & photographer for the past 5 years.
He’s been a published model in GQ Magazine (June 2017 issue), has contributed guest articles to GQ & AskMen, and has built a personal brand (121,000+) on Instagram (@trav_white_). Travis is an Austin, TX Native & has been working as a style blogger, model, & photographer for the past 5 years.
This native of Bronx, NY is considered a lifestyle futurist. At the age of 15 Jerome worked alongside Kimora Lee and Russell Simmons for their clothing line, Baby Phat. Jerome continued to achieve many accomplishments in the fashion industry. He’s been featured in many publications including Essence, The New York Times, and Lucky Magazine.
Blogger Salomon Dubois Thiombiano is native of France. He’s been featured at Milan’s Men Fashion Week and is easily recognizable through his visually appealing instagram account.
Jamison Harris forms one half of the duo behind the fashion & lifestyle brand “Official Harris Twins” currently based in Los Angeles, CA. This 27-year old from North Carolina juggles roles of content creator, wardrobe stylist, student, and model alongside with his twin & business partner @JontaOht.
Born and raised in Thomasville, Georgie Demariyon Futch has always had a unique hand and the desire to be a creative. Starting off as a stylist and creative director for many major fashion shows while studying journalism in college, he soon made his mark into designing menswear in 2012. In 2016 he founded Eleve XII, a luxury streetcar for the modern, eclectic guy with a street flair. Now thanks to social media his company has been one of the most sought after small men’s brand, featured on celebrities such as Young Thug, Lil Uzi to Jazmine Sullivan.
International supermodel Rontez Valentine is a native of Queens, NY. His modeling career jump started in 2016 after he was discovered by his manager on Facebook. He’s been featured in British GQ and At Large Magazine.
Mike Smith is a freelance fashion stylist/ image & brand consultant. Originally from Greenville, Ms he graduated from the University of Southern Miss with a degree in Communication Studies with a double minor in fashion merchandising & Hotel Tourism Management. He has been studying fashion since he could read and has worked as a fashion stylist for 6 years. He quotes, “Not where I used to be. I’m working towards my goal everyday, and I want stop until I reach it.”
Darvell Sampson is a published model/published stylist. Born and raised in Trinidad, he came to the US and has created his legacy. He’s the co-owner of the band called Stylish Rebelz . His fashion career started when a friend of his grabbed him into doing a local college fashion show at Long Island University in Brooklyn, NY. From that moment on he knew that it was his time to create that billboard vision he always wanted since he was young. He has created different unique looks to portray style patterns that speaks volumes of himself and influences people to go beyond the way they dress and feel.
Patrick Dossanto Saviero, 27, is a blogger based in Germany. His passion for fashion, lifestyle, and traveling inspired him to start his instagram account.
About the Author: A native of Brooklyn, New York, Prince Martinez is the founder of Men Who Brunch (MWB), a lifestyle website and event blog. The concept of MWB primarily started from his own internal struggles as a gay man. Having hid in the closet for many years he finally decided to live in his own truth. His desire to bring LGBT persons together and love of brunch motivated him to start Men Who Brunch. His vision for MWB is to build an international community for LGBTQ persons who enjoy brunch and other social activities.
Prince enjoys happy hours, martial arts, and of course brunch! He also likes giving backing to the community and dreams to build a new community center back in his old neighborhood.
And don’t forget to check out themenwhobrunch.com