These days it seems everywhere you look, a new social media influencer is popping up in every corner of the world. From supermodels, to fashion “it girls”, to budding designers, they are all showing us, in their own unique way what it means to be the successful social media “it girl” of today. And with a built-in audience, it’s only fitting that some of these influencers choose to harness their on-line popularity and delve deeper into the fashion world by launching their own clothing lines! After all, building the following is half the battle: building the actual brand is the fun part!
Today, our focus isn’t on just any social media influencer, its on a very special influencer. A one-of-a-kind influencer. An influencer that just isn’t quite like the others. Sure, she’s got an amazing following, just peep her 1.5 million followers on Instagram. And yes, she knows a thing or two about fashion — just check out some of the brands she promotes, like Opening Ceremony, Prada, Chanel, Vetements, and Supreme to name a few. So what exactly is it that sets Lil Miquela (@lilmiquela) apart from the rest of her social influencer peers? Well, for starters, she’s not human! No really, this isn’t a figure of speech. Lil Miquela is actually the world’s pre-eminent CGI virtual influencer. Saaaay what?
With her signature Princess Leia double-bun and short cropped bangs combo, full lips, and perfectly curated freckles, she is the manifestation of millennial perfection. And while she claims to be Brazilian, she looks just ethnically ambiguous enough to appear relatable, yet mysterious. She’s friendly, frank, smart, and stylish. She’s everything a young fashion label would look for to embody their esthetic and garner popularity in their brand, so it’s no wonder that brands are flocking to her to get eyes on their goods! And if you’re as curious about her as we are, don’t worry, we got you covered! Let’s start with the basics! Exactly where did Lil Miquela come from?
Miquela Sousa, better known as Lil Miquela, is actually a digital art project that began in 2016 as an Instagram profile, and has since grown into something much much bigger. Lil Miquela is many things: a fictional character, a CGI virtual influencer, an Instagram model, a music artist, and now, a clothing designer. What’s really interesting and cool about the whole project, for one, is the conversations that are arising about what is real and not real on the internet. And in an era that vilifies real facts and celebrates vapid and perfect-looking celebrities with sometimes nothing to say, its really pretty cool that this cyborg, is starting important conversations about topics like immigration rights, female representation, and bringing further awareness to movements like Black Lives Matter. How cool is that? Lil Miquela wants to be able to use social media for good, instead of using it as a way to demean young people. And what could be more real (and rad) than that?
The on-line star, who exists in a perpetually 19-year-old body (Ah, to be young, again. But, like, forever!) has accomplished more in her few short years in existence than most people have in their life times. From interviewing artist J. Balvin, to taking selfies with actress Tracy Ellis Ross, to launching her own fashion line Club 404, we’re absolutely infatuated with miss Miquela. And if you think she’s just a passing fad, think again, kids, cause her star is only beginning to rise! Don’t believe us? Just check out her latest gig: COACHELLA festival reporter! Yup! She was chosen, out of thousands, to host interviews on the festival’s YouTube channel, undoubtedly for her fresh perspective, huge social following, and for being a budding musical artist herself with a newly dropped single of her own. We never thought we’d be jealous of a robot, but today, my friends, anything is possible!
And now that Lil Miquela has gone and added fashion designer to her (virtual) resume with the launch of her clothing line Club 404, we are all about seeing what this budding new brand has to offer. And don’t worry, we’re here to share it with you too!
For Drop 1 of clothing line Club 404, Lil Miquela is keeping it simple, street, and cool.
A black oversized crewneck sweatshirt with a signature Club 404 emblem made from 100% cotton and proudly made in Los Angeles, is the perfect way to show you’re in the know. Looking for something a bit lighter? She’s gotcha! The versatile Long Sleeve relaxed fit 404 shirt can be worn anytime, anywhere, and it looks great on everyone! For a deeper dive into her label’s esthetic, Lil Miquela debuts a YouTube look-book of sorts, giving us a unique look at the vision behind her brand, which is also chalk full of her own musings about meditation, the company’s productivity, workplace love affairs, and what makes her feel alive.
And for a an avatar that is in reality puppeteered by Brud, a mysterious L.A.-based start-up of “engineers, storytellers, and dreamers” the clothes themselves in this hip new label are actually very real, and very “right now”. Perfectly oversized, influenced by psychedelia and retro pop culture, comfortable, and easy to style with today’s hottest athletic shoes, you’ll project your own persona of trend-setter in no-time. And if you’re ever looking for your own bit of inspiration, just pop over to CLUB 404: a place where people create and share and thrive.
Amen to that!
From her favorite fashion trends, to her growing fan base, to her new fashion label, to her political views, we hope you’ve enjoyed learning about this new and exciting virtual influencer as much as we have. Sure, she may be just a cyborg, a CGI art project, a robot, or more accurately a cartoon of sorts. But whatever you call her, one thing is for certain, she sure is killin’ it in life and we ain’t mad at that!
