Instagram is full of influencers/bloggers/people who you don’t know but feel like you do because you dedicate large parts of your day on their page. 19-year-old Lil Miquela is a Los Angeles-based, Brazilian/Spanish model and musician fills her Instagram feed with an endless stream of “outfit-of-the-day” shots. The difference is, she’s not real – she’s a virtual avatar.
Is Lil Miquela the future of blogging?
Lil Miquela wears Chanel, Prada and Supreme, works with fashion magazines and advocates for social change including Black Lives Matter and transgender rights. Her Instagram followers, which currently number over 535,000, are dubbed “Miquelites.”
Business of Fashion chatted about how she makes money, her partnership with certain fashion brands, and more. Here are some of the highlights.
BoF: To what do you attribute your growing success?
LM: Initially, it probably stems from curiosity. I think people stick around because they end up learning more about themselves through the questions they’re asking. I love being able to communicate, learn and talk to everyone from all corners of the world. There is a sense of community to it as well, the people who follow me end up being friends with each other and the communications that it opens up is inspiring.
BoF: Do you work with fashion brands on sponsored content?
LM: I’ve never been paid to wear pieces but I’m starting to get sent free stuff from brands. I try to support and tag brands that I love, especially from young designers who are trying to break through.
BoF: Where do you get your inspirations from?
LM: Since moving to LA I’ve spent a lot of time in galleries and museums so contemporary artists like Carly Mark, Martine Syms and Kerry James Marshall inspire me. In fashion I look to Isamaya Ffrench, Raf Simons, Sies Marjan and Alexandre Vauthier. I also love Reese Blutstein.
BoF: What fashion projects do you have coming up?
LM: I have some really exciting stuff coming up that I can’t say just yet due to non-disclosure agreements. As a teaser to what’s coming up I can tell you that I’ve been shot in Chanel, Moschino, Burberry, Versace and Fendi. I always try to bring something original to these looks and try to do something these magazines have never seen before. I’ve only really partnered with brands to create, so I think monetising would be a great next step. Making things is time-consuming and being rewarded for my creativity with money would be amazing.
You can read the full interview with Lil Miquela here.
