“You either know Fashion or you don’t.”

            – Anna Wintour

Today we are always looking up to someone for advice, inspiration, or guidence. But what defines a leader? Someone who the majority of people follow, is it money? Or maybe status? Personally in todays society the “common human” has a further reach then in years past with the constant innovation of the internet and social media. The Average Joe  has the ability to impact millions of people with a simple #hashtag.

In the world of fashion is have become extremely difficult to determine these fashion leaders. In the time of Kings and Queens it was clear who had the influence over the general public. In 2013,  we are influenced by people of whom have no royal blood ( Kate Middleton included, remember she was married into the royal family), but people who have found a way to the top in other crafts. Sure, designers are 100% influencers of the Fashion Industry, but they can not do it alone. Celebrities, Musicians, Actress/Actors, and Reality Stars are there canvas to express their art.

Today we can say Celebrities or people in the spotlight are fashion leaders and influencers, although this is not true. An influencer in the fashion industry, or any industry for that matter must be and expert in there field. Many Celebrities provide inspiration for fashion and style, but they are not themselves the ones choosing what is in fashion and what is not.

The top influencers and leaders in the fashion industry include (but are certainly not limited to; Anna Wintour, the current editor and chief of American Vogue. Marc Jacobs, one of the most highly innovative and original designers of the 21st century, Jacobs is also the current creative director of  not only his own lines Marc Jacobs, Marc by Marc Jacobs, and Little Marc, but since 1992 Jacobs has been the creative director of Louis Vuitton. Louis Vuitton is one of the most highly recognized haute couture design houses internationally.

Being a leader in the fashion industry is based on the influence your career has had on the world of fashion and how positively it has impact the changes in the industry.