6 of the Top Black Fashion Influencers you should be following!

We at NUFS feel that as the next generation aiming to enter the fashion industry, it is our responsibility using our platform to remind our readers of the importance of diversifying our social media feeds.

Within the fashion industry black players have too long been under-represented, be it designers, models, stylists, journalists, photographers or more. Instagram however has given these people a platform to be heard, and it is now our role to amplify these voices even further. Below are just six of our favourite fashion Instagram accounts, that you should follow in order to help support the many amazing black influencers out there.

1. @SlipIntoStyle

When talking about the best black fashion influencers on Instagram, there is no better place to start than Elizabeth Delphine a.k.a Ellie of @SlipIntoStyle. As an influencer and stylist living in Paris it’s no surprise she has a wardrobe any girl (or guy!) would die for; not to mention a shoe collection to rival Carrie Bradshaw! Ellie’s feed is as chic as you would expect for a Parisian, yet full of colour as you would expect from someone born in the Caribbean.

Serving her followers outfit inspiration with every single post, she manages to style both designer and high-street pieces with equal ease . However if it’s high-end fashion you’re looking for, her stories will keep you up to date with front row action at every Fashion Week (at least they did when there was a front-row and not just a screen). You can even look back on previous shows saved into her highlights, whether it’s Paris, Copenhagen, London and more.

2. @thepatriciabright

To date, Patricia Bright has 1.2 million followers on Instagram alone, so if you’re in the minority of people who don’t follow her already, where have you been? Born and bred in London, Patricia started her career posting beauty and fashion vlogs to her YouTube channel. Now almost 10 years later she has worked with companies as big as Dior.

By following her Instagram you get a mix of everything, from fashion posts, to business tips, to just a hell of a lot of motivational captions, it’s all there! Patricia says herself that she got her style from her Nigerian mother and this shines through her Instagram feed. Although clearly a fan of a LBD she doesn’t shy away from colour, as well as fully embracing her curves. Patricia is determined that as well as posting pictures of outfits that we will all want to copy, she will also push her followers to meet their potential. She really is a role model we all need in our lives.

3. @devynistyles

Florida based, Devyni Hightower, has another must-follow account @devynistyles. By posting a mix of pictures, IGTVs and Reels, her feed uses all of Instagram’s features for it’s one mail goal - to help her followers look good. But even better for us students, she shows us how to do it on any budget, for example by showing you all the different ways you can style one individual item or showing how to take an outfit from day to night. This means you don’t need to buy a whole new outfit for every occasion which saves both your bank and the environment.

For on trend style tips you can see what Devyni herself is wearing as she regularly posts ‘New Arrivals’ videos, as well as hauls of what she has bought recently. However by following the hashtag #styledbyDEVYNI you can also she how she has styled outfits for other people too.

“Fashion is what makes getting ready every morning exciting”

- Joel Moore

4. @ryanstylenyc

For men’s fashion inspo, look no further than Ryan Clark’s Instagram feed @ryanstylenyc . As the founder of website and blog HighFashionLiving.com, Ryan knows his stuff about how to dress and it shows. With a generally neutral aesthetic, his style is the perfect example of simple but effective. He embodies exactly what a capsule wardrobe should be, mixing timeless essentials such as tailored suits with seasonal statement pieces such as a bright yellow jumper. Just like his Instagram account, his style is classic, tailored, yet always on trend.

Another reason you need to follow Clark is because of his ’Style’ story highlight. Here he posts pictures the outfits he wears day to day. However he tags the brands of each item he is wearing. This couldn’t make it easier for his followers to find a piece of his that they love and want to buy for themselves.

5. @elainewelteroth

Former Editor-In-Chief of Teen Vogue, Elaine Welteroth’s, is another influencer account you can not afford to miss. Considering her background it is no surprise @elainewelteroth has an Instagram feed and grid, that any magazine editor would kill for. With a mash-up of posts such as family glimpses, personal style or even political opinion she is not your typical ‘fashion influencer’. However her eye for fashion is undeniable.

For example her collaborations with world famous brands such as Ralph Lauren or her behind the scenes of New York Fashion Week from her sofa, are what make her Instagram one you need to follow. As people interested in the fashion world, it is also about time we acknowledge that this industry is not just about clothes that look good. There is the social side, the political side, the environmental side or the cultural side; as well as the ‘aesthetic’ side to our field and Elaine Welteroth helps us to remember this.

6. @moorehisstyle

Last but not least we have Joel Moore of the account @moorehisstyle. Not only is this witty pun his Instagram handle, it is also the name of his fashion and lifestyle blog. Moore himself says that “fashion is what makes getting ready in the morning exciting” and this translates through to his clothes choices. You can see he enjoys trying new things and not following the rules, resulting in his unique and distinctive style. Joel blurs the lines between mens- and womenswear, resulting in an almost unisex aesthetic. For example one of his signature looks involves merging the traditional menswear of shirts and trousers with women’s jewellery and handbags.

New York based Moore not only posts on trend clothing inspiration, he also shares skin and body care tips with his followers too. One of my favourites is his story highlight called ‘Empties’, in which he shares his favourite products which he’s used all the way through. If anything is a effective endorsement of a product, it is a completely empty bottle.

Written by: Emily Rickerby