Insta Highlight: Expressive Maximalism

Published 01 November 2022

Author

6 min read

As young fashion consumers grow increasingly jaded by short-lived micro-trends and copycat culture, a new look is emerging that values personal style, creativity and potentially divisive aesthetics above all else, rejecting the very concept of bad taste and celebrating extreme individualism.

Videos under the TikTok hashtags #DopamineDressing and #MaximalistFashion currently boast 32.1 million and 31.1 million views respectively, while the increasingly popular #UnhingedFashionGirlie and #WeirdGirlAesthetic tags have accumulated an impressive 5.9 million and 1.1 million respective views and counting. It’s clear that there’s a growing appetite for not only this type of quirky and eclectic fashion content, but also for the style itself. We expect that to amplify as young people continue to seek out new avenues and opportunities for self-expression. Here, we highlight five of the most influential fashion content creators to watch in this maximalist fashion space.

Clara Perlmutter

Better known by her alias Tiny Jewish Girl, New York-based influencer Clara Perlmutter is the self-described “queen of too much”. An avid vintage collector, she rose to prominence on TikTok by posting videos of herself styling divisive yet attention-grabbing pieces, including bloomers, sci-fi goggles, and lettuce earrings, to a sea of comments asking: “Is she serious?” Experimenting with elements of kidcore, her idiosyncratic look has already resulted in partnerships with brands like Marc Jacobs and The RealReal.

Follow on Instagram and TikTok.

Clara Perlmutter

Anna Golka-Yepez

Through a series of “get ready with me” videos, chronicling how she styles historically influenced and expertly layered outfits for specific events, fashion influencer and vintage aficionado Anna Golka-Yepez (who is based between Washington and California) has amassed a devoted – if somewhat sceptical – TikTok following. She responds to commenters questioning the practicality of her outfits for everyday life by posting videos of herself out and about, proving that her eye-catching, avant-garde style is not just confined to the internet.

Follow on Instagram and TikTok.

Anna Golka-Yepez

Myra Magdalen

With a focus on the overlap between fashion and tech, US-based fashion designer Myra Magdalen gained prominence on TikTok by posting outfit videos in her bathroom – the walls of which are covered in old computer keyboards. Since then, she has developed a singular personal style that sees her accessorise kitschy, space-age-inspired outfits with an array of thrifted household items, including door hinges, light bulbs, power outlets and perhaps most notably, a mini light-up aquarium.

Follow on Instagram and TikTok.

Myra Magdalen

Mira Al-Momani

London-based influencer Mira Al-Momani has cultivated a distinct look that consists of sarcastic sloganism, ironic Y2K references, and off-kilter silhouettes, with a clear penchant for divisive accessories. From voluminous fluffy hats and bubble clogs to trompe l’oeil prints and photorealistic motifs, the devil is in the details, with clever and intuitive layering of several contrasting pieces being key. Al-Momani also champions a responsible and sustainable outlook, prioritising slow fashion and outfit repeating while also supporting young independent designers.

Follow on Instagram and TikTok.

Mira Al-Momani

Sativa Diva

A distinct retro-futuristic slant and a keen eye for vintage makes California-based non-binary influencer Sativa Diva (real name Kadija) stand out in a sea of over-the-top maximalism – a distinctive style they help curate for others in their day job as a vintage buyer and stylist. Favouring 60s’ mod looks and bold prints, merged with historical references and sci-fi elements, the result is a sleek yet gleefully eccentric aesthetic that transcends decades, dimensions and gender norms.

Follow on Instagram and TikTok.