The Influence of Celebrities on Fashion Trends

 

By Ayomipo Akorede

Fashion and celebrity culture have always been closely intertwined. From entertainment icons of the past to modern-day influencers, celebrities shape what people wear, how they style themselves, and what trends dominate the industry. Whether through red carpet appearances, social media, or brand collaborations, their influence on fashion is undeniable. That's why many brands, even outside fashion, love to be associated with them. It was a practice that birthed brand ambassadorship.

Celebrities set fashion trends through high-profile events like concerts, award ceremonies e.g Oscars, AMVCA, Headies, etc., movie premieres, and so on. During these events, designers often use these platforms to showcase bold, new styles, which then trickle down into mainstream fashion. Some even partner with the celebs for visibility. Although, when Rihanna wore a sheer, Swarovski-crystal-encrusted dress to the 2014 CFDA Awards, the "naked dress" trend exploded in popularity, there was no was no official brand partnership or endorsement between Rihanna and the company for this look except that Swarovski provided the crystals to Adam Selman who made the clothes. However, the look significantly boosted Swarovski's visibility in the fashion world.

Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter have given celebrities even greater power over fashion trends. A single post by a celebrity wearing a particular brand or style can instantly boost its popularity. Many influencers in Nigeria, (including Don Jazzy whom Wizkid called one), have done and are still doing it. Another notable one is Kylie Jenner’s  love for oversized sunglasses and monochrome outfits that have heavily influenced Gen Z fashion.

Beyond red carpets, fans look to celebrities for casual style inspiration. Paparazzi shots of stars like Tiwa Savage, Rhema, Dunsin Oyekan, Peterson Okopi, Ayra Star, Olamide and Asake  in everyday outfits often go viral, leading to trends like new native styles for men, tatoos, athleisure, baggy jeans, statement sneakers, etc.

Like the proverbial saying, "There's nothing new under the sun," celebrities have the power to bring back styles from past decades. The resurgence of 2000s fashion—low-rise jeans, tiny sunglasses, and chunky sneakers—can be largely credited to stars like Bella Hadid and Dua Lipa, who regularly incorporate Y2K elements into their wardrobes. I think this practice is called retro fashion, right? Remember Mrs Holloway in "The Bling Lagosians?" who went retro after being broke just to stay relevant.

Celebrities play a major role in shaping fashion trends, influencing everything from luxury designer collections to everyday streetwear. Hence, leading to the rapid adoption of celebrity-inspired trends and the rise of fast fashion brands and styles. But let's face it, celebrity-inspired or not, fashion fades and changes from time to time. While their impact can drive innovation and self-expression, it also raises concerns about consumerism, fast fashion, and unrealistic beauty standards. As fashion continues to evolve, celebrity influence will remain a driving force—both for better and for worse.