This website serves as a visual presentation for an original research project conducted on female fashion influencers. The content of this website is composed of both past scholarly research as well as original findings informed by interview as a methodology. 

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On this website you can click through the tabs in the header to navigate around from an overview of the literature review, the results, the conclusion, a page dedicated to influencer insights, and finally an author's note where a link to the full thesis project can be found. 

This site also features an overview to the current literature around influencers from past scholars.

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While the concept of influencers is not entirely new, the advent of social media and 'Instafame' has lead to an increased fascination with them. As such, social media has revolutionized the way in which brands and companies think about getting their message and products out to consumers. Scholars and industry professionals have started to conduct research to better understand the anatomy of an 'influencer.'

A primary focus of this website is the original research, for which interview was used as a methodology.

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Through the project nine influencers were interviewed and asked a variety of questions pertaining to their start as an influencer, their economic background, prior social connections, and their process of gaining attention on Instagram. 

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The aspect of hustling versus benefitting from prior social and economic capital were explored in an attempt to see if one over the other has a higher impact on gaining Instafame.

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The research found that hustling was utilized more as a tactic to gain Instafame when an influencer is first starting out on Instagram.  

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Though the influencers' interviewed also acknowledged that prior connections as well as financial freedom also helped to kickstart peoples' careers. For example, Sarah LaPierre, an influencer interviewed, remarked that a prior connection from a past job allowed her to get an in with a big beauty brand out of New York early into her influencing career. 

This site also features a lucrative page devoted to influencer insights.

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Click on the 'Influencer Insights' tab in the header to read insider thoughts, opinions, and advice from current aspiring and achieved influencers. They provide their feelings about where they believe the influencer industry is headed, as well as tips and tricks they've learned through their years of influencing and working with brands. 

Finally, the author's note provides context into the thoughts, organization, planning, and execution that went into this year long research project. 

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Click into the 'Author's Note' tab on the header, or the text to the left of this box to be directed to a page designed to give further personal insight into why the author chose this topic and what it means to her.