• Industry Placement: In 2002, he went to school at The University of Wisconsin, graduating with a degree in civil engineering. Later, in 2006 he received a master's degree in architecture from the Illinois Institute of Technology. Outside of schooling, Virgil was involved in various projects, including working as a DJ, creating t-shirts, and writing blogs. At some point between earning his degrees, he was introduced to Kanye West—who was gaining attention for his work as a music producer—and Virgil was hired to be a part of Kanye's creative team in 2007. A few years later, Kanye and Virgil collaborated on many endeavours, including an internship at the Rome headquarters of the Italian fashion house of Fendi. Eventually, Virgil served as an art director for Kanye's albums. Virgil created his first fashion line called "Pyrex Vision" in 2012. A sample from this collection was a Ralph Lauren shirt with the word "Pyrex" printed (Pyrex was a brand of bakeware that was used to cook cocaine) and the number 23 (Michael Jordan's number). These two played a role in conveying a message about the only two economic pathways an African American man could take, selling drugs or playing pro sports. In 2013, he shut down Pyrex Vision and this would eventually lead to the creation of Off-White. In summary, Virgil was a "normal/regular" guy who was passionate about arts/creativity. Through connections and some luck, Virgil pursues his career as a designer and influencer.

• Fashion Impact: Virgil Abloh, the founder of Off-White and the first African American artistic director for Louis Vuitton's menswear. He revolutionized fashion by bridging streetwear and luxury, embracing "different" and being open to collaboration, in hopes of inspiring the new generation of designers (particularly those of colour). Virgil also helped redefine the idea of "luxury", stating that luxury is not about the craftsmanship or expensive materials but more about the cultural context in which fashion exists. His work emphasized the value of things that are considered to be disposable—such as a graphic t-shirt or sneakers— and he transformed them into luxury items by infusing them with meaning. His use of symbols, logos, and words reflected a contemporary vision of luxury; this resonated with the younger and more diverse demographic who were often excluded from the traditional world of high fashion.

Backaround and Influence: A$AP Rocky(born Rakim Athelaston Mayers) was born on October 3, 1988 in Harlem, NY. He's known highly for his influential rapping, songwriting, and producing ablitites which contains blends of fashion, art, and hip-hop making him an icon in both the fashion and music industry. His career took off when his single, "Peso" was leaked in August of 2011, within weeks it gained major airplay and shortly after "LIVE. LOVE. A$AP" was released.

Consumer Group: As a motivator and given his influence in music and fashion, his audience mostly consists of young adults with interest in street culture. This focuses on "brand-conscious" consumers with a preference for luxury brands, sneakers, and accessories.

Industry Placement: A$AP Rocky has collaborated with numerous brands and artists, this includes Guess, Puma, and Underarmour. Although these are brands he's worked with, he is largely seen wearing designer brands such as Dior, LV, and Gucci. Other artists he's worked with include Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and Future.

Fashion Impact

Many credit A$AP for helping tie the gap between luxury brands and streetwear, this strange approach has made him a trendsetter for more than just fans but designers and brands too.

^{Consumer Group: as a Fashion Innovator or Leader, Dapper Dan could also be considered a motivator. his work is known for its originality and trendsetting nature, positioning him as a pioneer in the fashion industry. He is regarded as a fashion leader because he doesn't just follow trends but actively creates the. Additionally, as a motivator, Dapper Dan strongly believes that clothing can enhance ones confidence and serve as a powerful tool for self expression}

^{Industry Placement: Dapper Dan has collaborated with numerous brands and major celebrities, including Salt-N-Pepa, and Mike Tyson. He previously owned a boutique called Dapper Dan's Boutique.}

^{Fashion Impact: Dapper Dan has left a lasting impact on the fashion world, especially with his work in high-end street wear, which he introduced into hip-hop culture. His Boutique was a hot spot for famous athletes and musicians, and his designs became iconic within the early hip-hop culture. Dapper Dan is regarded as a cultural icon, and his style and influence continues to inspire fashion and culture for generations.}

• Background and Influence: Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman, is an American actress who was born September 1st 1996 in Oakland California. Her acting career first started on Disney with Shake It Up, as Zendaya's fame grew she started to feature on more big screen movies such as: Spiderman, Dune, Challengers and The Greatest Showman. She also won many awards for her lead role in Euphoria

• Consumer Group: Zendaya is a fashion motivator, as she motivates her fans to be themselves, embrace their individuality and to express themselves through the art of fashion.

• Industry Placement: Acting, Singing, Dancing. She also had a clothing line called Daya by Zendaya from 2016-2018.

• Fashion Impact: Zendaya's impact on fashion is major since her influence on the younger audience is so strong, she uses it as an advantage to promote inclusivity and sustainability within the industry. While also pushing boundaries on what is considered to be fashionable.

• Consumer Group-  As a fashion innovator, Natalie makes sure that she creates products that are functional and cute for the consumer and sustainable for the planet. By ensuring that the brand is sustainable it has started to create a previously unseen standard in the fashion industry.

• Industry Placement- Poppy and Peonies has a high presence in social media, where they advertise their products and story. The brand also deals with politics by ensuring that their products are cruelty free, vegan, and PETA- approved, they also ensure that all of their packaging is compostable to help reduce the waste entering ecosystems. 

• Fashion Impact- By holding such high standards for her brand, Natalie Dusome has influenced the fashion industry by setting a higher expectation for other brands to follow. Natalie has created a brand that is good for consumers and the planet which is not done very often in the fashion industry.

Consumer Group: As a motivator, she is very confident and spreads lots of positivity, she is also the owner of a fairly popular makeup brand called "Huda Beauty" it is a known brand so with most things Huda Kattan wears or shows, people will be motivated or influenced easily.

Industry Placement: Huda Kattan has social media platforms, her most popular one is Instagram with over 54 million followers but she also has YouTube, tiktok, X, and Facebook.

Fashion Impact: Huda Kattan has an impact in the fashion industry because she is always spreading positivity, self love and always being inclusive. Her makeup brand has a very wide range of shades for inclusivity. She doesn't just spread positivity and inclusivity through the fashion industry, she spreads love to the whole world.

Consumer Group: As a fashion motivator, Michelle Obama has inspired young girls, women, new collections, and anyone looking to dress in an environment of high expectations, a large audience, and a reputation. Her style has inspired those who look up to her to dress more diverse and not worry about fashion norms. Additionally, she chooses to support many new, young fashion designers.

Industry: Michelle Obama is considered to be a part of politics because her husband Barack Obama was the President of the United States, however, she more recently has become a part of the entertainment/TV industry. Her and her husband's production company, Higher Ground, have produced 17 projects including The Light We Carry and Waffles + Mochi’s Restaurant which Michelle is featured in.

Fashion Impact: Michelle Obama's revolutionary style has inspired authenticity, allows women to feel like they don’t need to follow traditional social fashion norms, is relatable to the general public, and has positively impacted the impression of several fashion brands. She has broken the norms and traditions as a First Lady by not being afraid to show her unique and bold style. During her time in the White House, she wasn’t afraid to wear more affordable brands like J.Crew and sleeveless and shimmery dresses. This has ultimately encouraged women to dress individually rather than what is expected of them.

Kanye Omari West is one of the most prominent music artists in hip-hop history, bringing innovation to the world of producers. He's made countless hits, such as "Stronger", "Gold Digger", "Heartless", and "All Falls Down." Some time after he released his 6th full-length album, "Yeezus, He dived into the world of fashion, teaming with the likes of Adidas to create the brand "Yeezy", which single-handedly changed the flow of fashion for years to come. He is most known for creating the beloved shoe simply called "Yeezies", which was designed to be flexible and comfortable while looking cool and stylish. As of today, the Yeezy brand is worth $2.7 billion and has innovated the world of fashion by letting us know anyone can join any kind of business, even if they came from a different business beforehand. Kanye showed us that anyone can sell clothes, and he gave people the courage to sell their brand of clothes online, which is one of the most profitable ways to make money in this day and age. Kanye's brand is marketed to those who love his music and people who want to branch off and go against fashion norms. Another type of consumer Kanye markets his clothes to is people who will buy anything with his name on it, no matter how silly it may be. His influence is still mentioned today, although he has slipped into a more inappropriate field, creating scandalous outfits and displaying them for the public to see. Kanye was the 2nd black rapper to become a billionaire, only surpassed by the likes of Jay-Z, all from his fashion brand.

Consumer group: Sarah Jessica Parker is a fashion motivator through her bold personal style, which encourages individuality and risk-taking. Through her brand, SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker, she promotes timeless, elegant designs, making aspirational fashion more accessible and empowering self-expression.

Industry placement: Sarah Jessica Parker is a fashion entrepreneur and pop culture icon, blending luxury and aspirational style through her brand SJP. She influences fashion trends with her designs, personal style, and Hollywood presence.

Fashion impact: Sarah Jessica Parker, known for her iconic shoe line and striking, vibrant designs, continues to influence fashion and her acting career. Her SJP collection has grown her reputation as an actor and entrepreneur. Parker's bold wardrobe choices, combining expensive labels with affordable items, have made her a sought-after figure at high-profile events like the Met Gala.

Consumer Group: Sabrina resonates deeply with Gen Z, offering a voice to those experiencing personal growth, love, heartbreak, and the pursuit of independence. Through her music, she encourages her fans to embrace individuality and face life's challenges head-on. Her lyrics connect with listeners who are looking for both inspiration and authenticity.

Industry Placement: Sabrina Carpenter is in the entertainment industry with her music and acting. Her acting on Disney Channel helped her launch a successful music career. While acting remains a part of her career, she is prominently known as a pop musician.

Fashion Impact: Sabrina Carpenter is known for her eclectic, polished style. She blends current trends with bold personal choices. Her outfits often challenge conventional beauty standards. Her fashion choices express individuality and confidence, and she's become a role model for those seeking to break free from traditional molds. Sabrina is committed to inclusivity and empowering others through her fashion choices, embracing uniqueness and confidence in all her fans.

• Consumer group: Adriana is a fashion motivator and has significantly influenced fashion and beauty trends. She is a Supermodel and a former Victoria's secret angel, she has brought major inspiration to consumers, particularly in terms of beauty standards, fitness and fashion. She motivates others to embrace a certain lifestyle or look, which fits a fashion motivator.

• Industry: Adriana Lima is seen as a supermodel, actress, and businesswoman. Adriana became a Victoria's Secret Angel in 1999 and remained with their brand for almost 20 years before retiring, becoming the longest-running model and being named "the most valuable Victoria's Secret Angel" in 2017. Adriana also served as a global spokesmodel for maybeline cosmetics (2003-2009), and has worked with numerous other fashion brands including Swatch, Marc Jacobs, and Louis Vuitton.

• Fashion Impact: Adriana Lima is best known for her role as a Victoria's Secret Angel. As one of the most recognized faces of the brand, she helped define the early 2000s and 2010s image of what it meant to be a supermodel. Adriana's work on the runway for high-profile designers like Givenchy, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, and Marc Jacobs inspired many consumers around the world. Adriana was one of the go-to models for major fashion weeks and often walked in key shows. Beyond modeling, Adriana influenced fashion through her collaboration with major fashion brands. Adriana was featured in campaigns for luxury brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Valentino. Overall, Adriana has left an indelible mark on how beauty, sensuality, and sophistication is perceived in the fashion world.

Consumer Group: Harry Styles is both a fashion innovator and a fashion motivator. He was the beginning of the rise of male celebrities wearing typically considered 'non-masculine' outfits, and while he popularized this in the media he definitely wasn't the first to do it thus making him both a fashion innovator and a fashion motivator. Dresses aren't the only 'non-masculine' outfits he wears, and he wears and models many flamboyant outfits.

Industry Placement: Harry Styles is a songwriter, singer, and an actor. He is also in general a popular social media presence.

Fashion Impact: Like I mentioned earlier, Harry Styles was one of the first huge male celebrities to start wearing 'non-masculine' outfits. He received a lot of hate when he first started doing so but that never seemed to phase him as even now the gender labels put on clothing items doesn't influence what he does or doesn't wear. This makes him a stand-out person in the world of fashion for breaking the mold and doing so publicly while already being a huge influence. He probably knew he would face much backlash but the fact he persevered anyway is a testament to his determination and character.