The vintage influencer

By Charlotte wood @charlotterobertawood

Contemporary media isn’t so contemporary these days with the takeover of ‘The Vintage Influencer’. You most definitely have come across one of them floating around on your explore page or frequenting your for you page. Or maybe that’s just me but either way you will know about them now. The vintage influencer community seems to have surged out of nowhere, booming with fashion inspiration, jazzy décor and a Beatle-esque colour palette. Think poster-emblazoned bedrooms, go-go boots, miniskirts, and vinyl. Now pair that with the inevitable power of social media and WHAM! There you have it, an online time capsule transporting you back to the past. I have seen more yellow submarines than ordinary cars on my phone recently. This aesthetic if you will have been creeping in on me without me realising, worming its way into my wardrobe only for my feet to be too fat to fit into go-go boots. A sad affair I can assure you. You might have picked up on all my 60s/70s references but that’s not the only era these influencers are repping. I’ve seen a Marty McFly come Ferris Bueller 80s wannabe, a Marilyn Monroe 50s double and even a few Oliver Twist presenting individuals. There is really no limit to the lengths these vintage influencers can stretch to. So, what is it all about? Talking to a few of my favourites I have come across, I was able to delve into the makings of ‘The Vintage Influencer’.

Taking a short journey back to the Stranger Things era of the 80s, I chatted with Jordan Rumsey, a pure figment of 80s vibes embodied in the social media presence of a teenager from Maryland. With over 350k followers amassed on TikTok, Rumsey is clearly selling something the public want to buy. With big poofy 80s hair, Rumsey appears as though characterised by all our favourite 80s films. After discovering the 1980s through her parents love of the music on family games night and on road trips, her style has developed to incorporate authentic Jordache Jeans and vintage sweaters rather than a neon party city vibe. The 80s is not a costume but a way of expression for Rumsey. Rumsey’s love of the 80s spans across her life in all areas including her ambitions and future goals. Already having a few collaborations under her belt including the likes of The Rolling Stones and Dossier, Rumsey aspires to take this one step further and maybe one day work with LA Gear and Reebok. Even more interesting, she would love to get involved with TV and broadcasting networks in the same way. A huge fan of 80s horror franchises and Mannequin, she dreams of starring in an 80s set film or series even as an extra as she feels she can bring a true 80s taste to the mix.

Similar to Jordan Rumsey, Gianna-Skye Goulding, a fashion communications student from Liverpool is making her name heard on social media with a combined 90k + accumulation of followers across social media. Looking like something of an Austin Powers extra and a flower child, she is often pictured wearing bright tights and a dazzling array of colours. With a ginger mane to match these perfectly crafted outfits, it's hard to ignore that Goulding knows a thing or two about fashion. After being introduced to both 60s and 70s music by her parents/grandparents at a young age, her interest in those eras progressed through the decades as a teenager with an eye for style. Having also worked with The Rolling Stones, “a pinch me moment” for Goulding and having been interviewed live on BBC radio, she is clearly destined for success in the fashion world. Goulding is inspired by the likes of 60s icons: Jimi Hendrix, Marianne Faithfull, Anita Pallenberg and Pamela Des Barres. But does she realise that individuals of the social media generation are being inspired by her?

But why social media? What has a teenager’s love of the 80s or a student’s love of the 60s got that should be shared on the internet? Well, where to begin? Picture this, you’ve just bought something new. Something a bit outdated, something a bit old-fashioned. You love this piece. You feel yourself in it, it matches the rest of your clothes. But the thought of sticking out like a sore thumb is too much. What if you look stupid? What if nobody else is a fan of that same style? That’s where ‘The Vintage Influencer’ comes in donning their latest get-up. Decked out in the kind of outfit you would only see ambling down Brick Lane 50 or so years ago, suddenly you feel a gateway to expression open right in front of you, and with the inspiration to hand. Forget doodling through Pinterest hour after hour, just look on social media and the influencers will be influencing. A constant stream of content spurring you on.

Gianna-Skye Goulding:

Instagram: @gia.skye

TikTok: @gianna.skye

Jordan Rumsey:

Instagram: @cantbuyme80s_

TikTok: @cantbuyme80s