From fashionistas and awe-inspiring photographers to culinary maestros and social activists, this eclectic mix of 10 creators represents the vibrant diversity of Instagram’s global community and unparalleled growth in 2023.
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Kasia Sterriker
British-Polish artist and biophilic designer, Dr. Kasia Sterriker, with two doctorates in environmental engineering and landscape architecture, is a true expert in her field. Collaborating with her internationally renowned bonsai master father, Wlodek Pietraszko, she creates stunning ecological art.
In Dubai, alongside her husband, Dr. Sterriker runs an environmental art business, bringing their vision to life. Before this, she taught at a university, where she developed patented geocomposite materials to preserve plants’ vitality during transportation for indoor and outdoor spaces.
Irene Kim
This American-born Korean model and fashion content creator, has taken the fashion world by storm with her street style brand, @Ireneisgood. With BTS and BLACKPINK endorsing her label, it’s no wonder she’s garnered immense support. In 2023, she collaborated with the iconic brand VANS.
Recognized for her influential style, Kim received an award at the 2017 Elle Style Awards. She honed her skills in textile design at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology. In 2015, she made history as Estée Lauder’s first Asian global ambassador. Known for her vibrant unicorn hair, Kim broke the stereotype that Asian models must adhere to black, straight, and long hairstyles.
For Irene Kim, inclusivity and providing the public with access to creative content are the “it factors” that define every influencer.
João do Grau
João do Grau, the Brazilian motorcycle sensation, rose to fame by sharing jaw-dropping stunts on Instagram. Known for his impressive wheelies and wheelstands, he started riding at 10 years old and filmed his first videos in his backyard. Among his devoted fans are Brazilian actor João Guilherme, soccer influencer Luva de Pedreiro, and funk-rap singer Mc Kekel.
João do Grau proudly holds the #20 spot in IMH’s Top Authentic Influencers Ranking for cars and motorbikes.
Jimmy Chin
Meet Jimmy Chin, the extraordinary adventure photographer who has traversed all 7 continents, capturing awe-inspiring moments. With an impressive roster of commercial clients including Apple, Bose, Chase, Ford, and The North Face, Jimmy has been a valued member of The North Face athletic team for over two decades.
In 2019, he was honored with the prestigious National Geographic Photographer’s Photographer Award. He is also the author of the 2021 New York Times bestseller, “There and Back,” which chronicles his remarkable career in the mountains.
Jimmy Chin’s photographic content goes beyond mere visuals. He believes in sharing stories that illuminate the boundless human spirit, inviting the public to discover a whole new world. Collaborating with his wife, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, they co-direct captivating documentaries.
Joan MacDonald
Joan MacDonald defies age barriers on Instagram, proving that baby boomers can make a remarkable impact. Embarking on her weight loss journey in 2017, she shares her inspiring transformation as a senior fitness influencer at the age of 75, shedding an impressive 60 pounds from her starting weight of 200 pounds.
Under the guidance of her daughter Michelle, a certified strength and conditioning specialist, Joan’s content showcases her workouts and meals through The Wonder Women’s online training program. Her account exhibits awe-inspiring exercises like weightlifting and cardio routines that have contributed to her incredible progress.
With her arthritis and reliance on medications for acid reflux and high blood pressure now a thing of the past, Joan’s before-and-after posts, including one in a swimsuit by the beach, have earned her the admiration of followers who see her as the ultimate inspiration. She goes by the name @Trainwithjoan across her website, app, and YouTube channel, spreading her message of transformation and empowerment.
Zander Whitehurst
Zander Whitehurst may not have a massive audience, but within the UX/UI designer community, he’s a beloved figure known for his witty and concise tips. His posts cover various topics, including tutorials on using Webflow, a popular website builder, and Figma, a collaborative interface design tool. In fact, he holds a position as an educator advisory board member for Figma.
In addition to his online presence, Whitehurst is the founder and CEO of Memorisely. The company’s mission is to make design and coding skills more accessible through virtual classrooms. With a faculty of over 50 industry leaders, their classes have limited spots to ensure personalized attention, with most courses lasting five weeks. Memorisely also offers immersive boot camps where teachers follow a hands-on “learning by doing” approach, avoiding the traditional PowerPoint style.
Nella Rose
This UK-based influencer, made her mark in the social media realm by sharing beauty and fashion content on YouTube, featuring her university dorm friends. As a Black influencer originally from Belgium, she later expanded her presence to Instagram.
Nella’s online success caught the attention of Pretty Little Thing, who awarded her the prestigious title of YouTuber of the Year in 2020. That same year, Fashion Nova appointed her as their ambassador for their curve range. Inspired by these achievements, she launched her own unisex streetwear brand, Faces London, which quickly sold out its first collection within half an hour.
Her growing popularity on social media also opened doors for her hosting career, including co-hosting MTV’s “Catfish UK.” Nella Rose continues to make her mark across various platforms, captivating audiences with her unique style and engaging personality.
Daniel Schuetz
Daniel Schuetz, an international fragrance influencer, rose to fame in 2014 with his YouTube comparison of Paco Rabanne’s 1 Million and Jean Paul Gaultier’s Le Male Le Parfum. As a self-taught cologne connoisseur, he immersed himself in books, documentaries, and daily scent exploration.
In 2018, he received the prestigious Best Perfume Vlog award at the FiFi Awards organized by the Fragrance Foundation. That same year, he collaborated with master perfumer Alberto Morillas to launch his own line of fragrances.
His appearance on “Celebrity Big Brother” in late 2022 further propelled his popularity, attracting 60,000 new Instagram followers.
Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson
While not on IMH’s fitness influencer list, Hafþór, the legendary “Game of Thrones” actor, has amassed a devoted following for sharing his workout videos. Joined by his wife, model Kelsey Henson, in some of the clips, he spreads his fitness inspiration on platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and Twitch, where he boasts an impressive 255.5K followers.
Standing tall at 6′ 9″, the Icelandic powerhouse dominated the Strongman scene, clinching victory in all major competitions for an unprecedented ten years until 2020. In 2018, Björnsson etched his name in history by conquering Europe’s Strongest Man, World’s Strongest Man, and the Arnold Strongman Classic.
Now, “The Mountain” is on a mission to shatter the current powerlifting record before the year 2023 comes to a close. To achieve this awe-inspiring feat, he plans to conquer squats, bench presses and deadlifts with a staggering total weight of over 1,182.5 kilograms. Prepare to witness Björnsson redefine the limits of human strength!
Sam Schnur
This Miami resident made waves in the digital world, earning a spot on Forbes’ “30 under 30” list. What started as an Instagram account showcasing her love for food, drinks, and photography has transformed into a licensed digital news and marketing company.
Back in 2014, Schnur recognized the untapped potential of Instagram in her city. As the popularity of Buzzfeed’s exclusive “Tasty” page on Facebook soared, featuring tempting comfort food recipes, Schnur expanded her content to include cooking.
In 2022, Schnur, along with four others, including fellow Instagram food influencer Yanni Georgoulakis, launched “Crispy Rice, Papi Churro, and Sushi OG.” This three-in-one outpost at Miami’s Oasis Wynwood has become a delightful culinary destination.
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