It All Started with a Runway Show
I decided I wanted to work in fashion when I was 14 years old. I was completely mesmerized by the glamour, the movement, and the style of fashion shows on TV.
At first, I thought I wanted to be a model. I assumed models created the collections and presented them to the audience — I didn’t know any better at the time. I just knew I wanted to be part of this creative, expressive world.
Eventually, I discovered the truth: it was the designers who brought those incredible looks to life. That’s when it clicked — and I knew I wanted to become a fashion designer.
Fast forward to today. I’ve studied fashion design, worked with brands, built collections, and led design, product development, and sourcing teams. Then something fascinating happened: the rise of fashion influencers.
Yes, influencers existed in the past in the form of actresses and socialites. But in the past decade, we’ve seen something new: fashion lovers building real careers through their style, vision, and digital platforms.
Recently, a friend’s daughter asked me:
Should I become a fashion designer or an influencer?
If you’re wondering the same, this post is for you.
What Fashion Designers Actually Do
Fashion designers build the product from the ground up. They work with fabrics, sketches, and samples. They understand fit, construction, and the entire production process.
They can launch their own line or collaborate with brands to help shape seasonal collections.
Key Traits:
- Technical knowledge
- Creativity
- Attention to detail
Where They Work:
Design studios, brand HQs, production teams, or independently
Their Focus:
Creating garments and collections from scratch
What Drives Them:
Product-first thinking — innovation, quality, and craftsmanship
Why Influencing Is More Than Just Posting Outfits
Fashion influencers are often misunderstood as just trend followers. In reality, the best ones are curators, storytellers, and visual strategists.
They take existing products and style them in fresh, compelling ways that influence how others dress and shop.
Being a fashion influencer is a legitimate career — one that requires consistency, creativity, and digital savvy. Building an audience, crafting content, and maintaining brand partnerships is serious work.
Key Traits:
- Personal style
- Communication and charisma
- Digital marketing awareness
Where They Work:
Social platforms, blogs, brand campaigns
Their Focus:
Styling, inspiring, and influencing purchasing decisions
What Drives Them:
Marketing-first thinking — engagement, reach, and brand alignment
Can Influencers Become Designers? Not So Fast.
It’s increasingly common for influencers to launch product lines — but that doesn’t automatically make them fashion designers.
Behind those collections is a team: professional designers, developers, and sourcing experts. Influencers may shape the concept, but the technical and creative labor is often done by industry professionals.
It’s a collaboration — and each role matters.
Why Designers Can Become Influencers More Easily
Designers can more naturally pivot into influencing because they already understand the product — from textiles to fit to construction. Their behind-the-scenes knowledge becomes an asset in content creation.
They’re fluent in the language of style, which gives them an edge in a saturated influencer space.
On the flip side, becoming a designer requires technical mastery — years of study and practice. Without that foundation, launching a credible fashion line becomes a steep uphill climb.
How to Choose Your Path
Ask yourself:
Do you want to create your own products?
Or do you want to inspire others with how you style what already exists?
Choose Fashion Design if You:
- Love creating and working with materials
- Enjoy being behind the scenes
- Are committed to technical training and long-term vision
Choose Influencing if You:
- Have a clear personal style and visual voice
- Love engaging and building community
- Can consistently create and share content
There’s no wrong choice — only the one that fits your creativity, strengths, and values.
Build the Career That Matches You
Fashion designers and influencers are both essential to the modern fashion world.
Designers are product-driven creators.
Influencers are style-driven communicators.
Whether you want to make the product or move the culture, there’s space for you.
So own your path. Bring your passion. And remember — fashion thrives when both creators and curators bring their vision to life.
