Jason Harris
Madison Eley has always shared photos of her outfits and makeup on Instagram, but it was the first lockdown that pushed her creativity with the photos further. She was studying for a mathematics degree at university and as her content reached more audiences and she started posting on Instagram more frequently, she realised that maths just wasn’t her passion anymore. So, she started working on her Instagram game and as a result, brands naturally came across her profile and asked to work with her. It was a mixture of luck, passion, and hard work that has enabled her to work with several amazing brands, and one day, she’s hoping that she can work full-time via her Instagram and Youtube accounts. For now, she’s finishing up a master’s in marketing and has secured a job in an influencer agency called WYSPR.
StarCentral Magazine recently caught up with Madison to discuss her journey in the fashion world and here’s what went down:
Where do you usually shop? Are there any hidden gems when it comes to snapping up some awesome designer clothes?
I tend to shop at really basic places, like Zara. But I have been shopping at The Ragged Priest more recently, and even though they aren’t designer, I think they are a hidden gem. They have a huge mix of good quality basics and some really out-there pieces, but I am not sure loads of people know about them.
What are your top tips when it comes to fashion for the cooler months?
LAYERING. Always do layering. Find lots of light pieces that you can stack on top of each other. That way you keep warm, but the outfit is super chic too. For instance, my go-to winter outfit is a pair of jeans with some high ankle socks that match the top colour and some boots. And then layer a long sleeve, high-neck bodysuit with a cute tank top over the top. Throw on a scarf, hat, and even gloves. And then top it off with a trench coat and a matching bag. Perfect.
Where do you look for creative inspiration?
A lot of the time, inspiration just comes to me without knowing where it came from. For some content, the outfit just speaks to me and I instantly know what to do, other times I look at the creatives I follow on Instagram for inspiration. With Instagram, it’s best to recreate images that have performed well in different outfits, but this can be super boring to me, so I tend to come up with new concepts often.
Fashion-wise, again, I look at my fellow creatives, they are always on top of the trends.
Is it hard to stay fashionable?
Yes. Not only because it’s sometimes hard to find a balance between your own unique style and what’s trending, but also because it’s expensive to keep buying new clothes. It’s wasteful too. My solution is to sell my clothes on to then have money to purchase new ones, but this isn’t always easy.
How do you walk the link between being unique and having commercial appeal?
For me, it’s not that difficult. For content to have commercial appeal, it has to show the product in the best light. Showing clothes off has always come naturally to me, so as long as the clothes look good, and I look good in them, then it has commercial appeal. What can be difficult is to not show your followers too much commercial content. Even though everything I post is 100% loved and worn by me, it can still seem a little too unnatural if there are too many ads. Unfortunately, due to the new rules for influencers, it’s becoming harder and harder to not post ads; gifted items that become staples in your wardrobe need to be disclosed as ads always, no matter how long ago it was gifted or if it’s the focus of the shot.
Are there any key trends this year?
Baggy jeans have become the new staple in any fashionable wardrobe. And lots of colour blocking or funky colourful patterns. Just take a look at Zara’s new in, it’ll be FULL of colour and funky new patterns.
What do you think about the state of fashion today?
I personally think there is a lot of pressure in fashion today. To always be posting something new and to be wearing the latest trends. Especially if you are a new blogger trying to make it in the fashion influencer industry. On my page, I try to repeat outfits as much as possible, to show everyone that outfit repeating is ok. No wait, scrap that, outfit repeating is AMAZING, because it means there is less waste and it is more sustainable for the planet and ourselves.
What are the clothes we can rid our wardrobes of that are considered very ‘last season’?
Skinny jeans. No one needs them anymore. They are the most boring cut of jeans. You can choose a slight flare, straight leg, boyfriend, wide-leg, etc., which are actually more flattering than skinny jeans for most body types.
What fashion advice would you give an emerging fashionista?
Wear whatever makes YOU happy. Don’t worry about what other creators or people are wearing. Be uniquely you and you can’t go wrong.
The fashion industry has changed so much in the past few years, what’s the best advice you would give for staying ahead of the curve?
Be aware of the latest trends. Be aware of the bigger bloggers and celebrities and what they are wearing, because usually, that will start to trend quickly. Create your own trends too, because that can be really fun.
Jason Harris
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