Last year we asked: “will Instagram kids be the next supermodels?” The answer is “YES!” But the children of the social media generation are not only supermodels, they’re style icons, artists, and careful curators who are redefining the way we use the internet. They’re transforming their online followings into IRL success.
For its latest shoot on a new, improved and interactive website, Kenzo cast models via Instagram. i-D Senior Fashion Editor Julia Sarr-Jamois, and photographer Partel Oliva shot Insta-kids Maximilian Davis and Zaina Miuccia and model Sahara Lin in this season’s outerwear. We cactch up with the crew about raking in the ♥s.
Sahara Lin Leung, 18
Where are you from? Wales, UK / Brooklyn, NYC
What do you do? Model.
What’s your favorite social media network? Instagram. I’m dyslexic so I remember visual information better than words.
What do you use Instagram for? It shows where my head’s at and what my eyes enjoy. It’s like a sketchbook of the things that give me ideas.
Do you care how many followers you have? No, I don’t care, as long as they enjoy what I post. But I was surprised when I reached 1000 followers.
Are you conscious of what you put up on social media? No. It’s who I am; take it or leave it. I probably am conscious of not posting too many selfies, though.
What opportunities has Instagram given you that you wouldn’t have got without it? Fumi Nagasaka found me on Instagram and gave me the opportunity that really started off my modeling career!
Would you ever turn your social media presence into a career? I love art and music so it’s good for promotion, but I would not like to be stuck to my phone in that way where my career depends on it.
Whose account do you double tap the most? My friends’.
What do your social networks say about you? That I’m all mixed up, and I love Japanese cartoons and my friends.
Zaina Miuccia, 22
Where are you from? It’s complicated, but I’m Nigerian.
What do you do? University student, artist, actress.
What’s your favorite social media network? Vine! Everyone should have a Vine.
Do you care how many followers you have? I miss having 50 followers and being able to post weird or raunchy memes and have only my friends see it. Now a lot of people see my shit. That’s why I have like 3 million private Instagrams.
Are you conscious of what you put up on social media? Very conscious. Having young followers means I can’t be as obscene or vulgar as I am in real life. I do it for the children.
What opportunities has Instagram given you that you wouldn’t have got without it? I get cast a lot through my Instagram I guess, which is weird.
Whose account do you double tap the most? @codymlane @kristiemulller and my IRL friends.
What do your social networks say about you? Hopefully people will recognize that I post for myself and my friends. I don’t use it as a tool to market myself. I use it to post inside jokes and weird memes.
Maximilian Davis, 20
Where are you from? Manchester.
What do you do? I study womenswear at London College of Fashion.
What’s your favorite social media network? Instagram, for researching and prying LOL.
Do you care how many followers you have? I should say no, but TBH, yeah.
Are you conscious of what you put up on social media? Yes, I have a lot to hide.
What opportunities has Instagram given you that you wouldn’t have got without it? I’ve gotten a few jobs through Instagram, like this shoot for Kenzo.
Would you ever turn your social media presence into a career? Yeah, I wouldn’t mind but only if I could hide from time to time.
Whose account do you double tap the most? Anyone with iconic photos.
What do your social networks say about you? That I’m vague and party too much, but if you look at my tagged photos, it’s a different story.
Credits
Text Felicity Kinsella
Photography Partel Oliva
Styling Julia Sarr-Jamois
Models Sahara Linn at Elite NYC, Zaina Gbajabiamila, Maximillian Davis
Director of Photography Emile Kelly
Hair Chi Wong at Management Artists
Make-up Nami Yoshida at D&V Management
Camera Assistant Ollie Craig
1st Photographers Assistant Guillaume Blondiau
2nd Photographers Assistant Alex Craddock
Styling Assistant Harriet Byczok
Hair Assistant Montana Lowery
Make-up Assistant Tamayo Yamamoto
Nail Technician Irmarni Ashman at Saint Lukes Management