Since Instagram’s release in 2010, it has been a fashion force. People are no longer waiting for fashion magazines to come out once a month to get their fashion inspiration. By searching hashtags like #ootd or #streetsyle you can instantly assess the latest trends from the palm of your hand.

According to Maya Singer at vogue.com “Brands used to make their mark by appearing in magazine editorials—a medium for which the practicality of the clothes being photographed was never the point.”

Today you don’t have to be model in a magazine to dictate trends for the coming season. Madison Steward, local Instagram aficionado, has garnered over 20,000 followers on her style and craft based Instagram. When asked what she thinks makes a for a good Instagram Madison replied “For me, I like to make color the most important contributor to my photos. I love seeing bold patterns and vibrant colors, something that catches my eye.”

Instagram has also become an innovative way for brands to connect with, and even collaborate with their followers. When asked how her Instagram became so successful Madison replied “I had just posted a photo of myself in an outfit from ModCloth and to my excitement they reposted it” within an hour she had gained more than a 100 follower. “After that I knew the best way to get public exposure for my outfits was to do shoots in clothes from my favorite companies that shared customer photos”.

Lora Sorenson, senior at Drury University, commented “I love looking at instagrams of people like Gizele Oliveira and Krystal Bick because their style is similar to my style.”

Instagram has not only become the fashion magazine consumers want to “read”, but also interact with.  It is where consumers go when they want up to the minute style inspiration. Monthly fashion magazines simply can’t keep up.