Gucci, Channel, Prada, Michael Kors…who has
not heard of these designers right? From social
media to TV ads we are told these brands are
the face of fashion. With influential celebs, such
as Bella Hadid and Kylie Jnner wearing the
latest season's looks, we consider these people
the trendsetters. However, have you ever
wondered who the OGs of influence were?
Influencers are known to be the millennial
phenomenon that changed the way we saw
fashion.
Looking back through time, it is clear
that the word ‘social influencer’ is not new.
Going back in time, Fashion designer Coco
Chanel, born Gabriella Bonheur Chanel (1883)
rejuvenated fashion with the Little Black dress,
known as the LBD in the 1920s and made the
suntan popular by accidentally getting sunburnt
on holiday in the French Rivera, which
transformed the fashion of pale pasty skin into
women being influenced by the idea of having
tanned glowing complexion. If Chanel was able
to change people’s attitudes to fashion and
lifestyle surely women before the 1900s were
exercising their social influences.
Emilie Charlotte Langtry, known as Lillie (1853-
1929) was an actress and socialite of the 1800s.
Langtry could be considered one of the first
‘social influencers’ and was the face of Pears
Soap. Pear’s soap was advertised through
wealthy businessman Thomas J. Barratt who
owned his very own marketing company, just as
we see now with PR companies promoting and
marking goods for celebrities. Langtry was
known for her pale fair complexion which was
something to be desired in the 1800s so, Langtry
used her socialite status to influence the elite in
Soho. Langtry fitted the image for the product
and it was advertised with Langtry’s
personalised signature, which today could be
considered a gimmick. Making Langtry the first
woman to endorse a product through
advisement.
Like celebrities and influencers today Lille was
very much into business, Lillie was no ‘one-hit
wonder’ she made money through acting on
stage and had a winery in the USA. Lillie was the
new face of Victorian women in a patriarchal
society and pushed boundaries that very few
women had. Can we get a high-five for our girl
Miss Langtry????
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