The influence of social media stars has risen dramatically in Ireland over the last few years, with Octave Digital calling the rise of virtual networks (think Pinterest and Instagram) to be one of the strongest current trends. Image-based sites and apps appeal in a day and age in which users can spend just a few minutes on each, hopping to a bevvy of additional sources to find the latest beauty and fashion trends. If you have carefully curated your Instagram and Pinterest following and you’d like to add influential influencers from Belfast, add the following accounts to your list.
Christine Lampard
Christine Lampard is firmly focused on the world of broadcasting. She has presented an array of well-rated shows, including The One Show, Daybreak, and Dancing on Ice. However, she has also become a big style icon over the years, her decades-long TV career undoubtedly leaving its mark on her sense of style. Christine boasts a 627K following on Instagram, and her posts feature everyday fashion and work and party outfits. She is also one of fashion firm Wallis’ most famous faces and she frequently features new designs from the brand on her pages.
Cathy Martin
This famous fashion blogger is Belfast’s answer to Chiara Ferragni. She is a self-confessed jetsetter, having worked across the world for 20 years in the fashion and food sectors. She covers more than fashion, as she also creates content centred on food, fitness, family issues, and face and beauty products. She frequently reviews beauty products, taking an inside-out approach to beauty and valuing skin health, while also featuring new ‘it’ treatments from across the globe. Indeed, beauty influencers have come a long way. If the 80s and 90s famous faces were chosen to represent skincare and beauty brands, today, it’s all about authentic reviews based on the ‘tried-and-tested’ approach. It is also about approaching skin health via complexion boosters containing ingredients such as antioxidants, hyaluronic acid, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. Together, these blends encourage skin to restore itself, so that volume, elasticity, and hydration are at optimal levels. Cathy Martin has a host of reviews on this type of product and is known for her honesty and unique insights into the world of beauty.
Ashlee Coburn
“Fashion and a pinch of magic” is what Ashlee Coburn (@ohsofeeme) is all about. Her Instagram page is a world of colour and cutting-edge design and best of all, she wears outfits for all seasons and occasions. As such, she is the perfect influencer for fashionistas who carefully curate their wardrobes with everything from designer gym and loungewear to streetwear, gala events, and weddings. Coburn is a young mum and many of her stories picture her two daughters, who are equally chic and trendy. Coburn provides links to most of her outfits, which makes it easy to recreate her chic yet affordable looks.
My Sister’s Closet
Anita and Donna Ross (founders of The Boudoir ladies’ boutique in Dungannon) have a lively Instagram page where they show off anything and everything to do with the chic lifestyle—including jewellery, fashion, nails, cars, food, and more. The sisters started with a blog that grew to be so successful that RTE offered them an online fashion series in which they offer shopping advice to women. Their blog has a close-to 140K following on Facebook. In addition to presenting new fashion trends, Anita and Donna back key charity campaigns and groups, including Cancer Focus Northern Ireland.
The Belfast influencer scene is thriving, with a host of beauty and fashion influencers offering their followers advice on everything from what to wear to how to keep skin looking young. Just a few of the top bloggers and Instagram account owners worth following are Christine Lampard, Claire Martin, Ashlee Coburn, and My Sister’s Closet. All these sites offer beauty or fashion advice and display fashions for all seasons and budgets.