The FashioNZ Creators Power List 2024

The Vanguard. The Up-and-Comers. The Artists. The Industry. The Internationals.

Meet your 2024 Power Listers.

In 2023, we decided to delve into the world of Influence in Aotearoa, and celebrate who we thought were the people at the top of the game. We originally assessed around 100 creators, and turned out a list of 30 people who we believed summed up the current A-Team of New Zealand fashion & beauty creators.

We would never have expected The List to be so well received, well read, shared, critiqued and celebrated. The story we published on December 2nd 2023 became the single most successful piece of editorial generated on the site for years, and set a new daily record for traffic since Analytics stats began to be recorded in 2016.

Since then, Influencers, KOLs, Creators – whatever you wish to call them – have become even more established, and are taking up a greater and more respected position in fashion & beauty in Aotearoa. Gone are the days of ‘Influencer’ being a dirty word – unless you’re a print magazine editor who wants things to be just like they were 20 years ago, the world is embracing and celebrating Influencers more and more each day.

To compile our 2024 Power List we turned to a group of New Zealand fashion industry players who we thought would add stability and credibility to The List’s selection process. We invited these leaders to help us to assess more than 130 fashion & beauty creators and discuss the merits of each person, eventually landing on a group of 36 who we believe represent the zeitgeist of New Zealand influence in 2024.

Acknowledging this assessor group is vital, as it ensures a greater level of integrity in The List and helps to provide more context in who created The List and why. Our assessor group included PR leaders Imogen O’Neill from Public Library and Rebecca Rangihuna from Showroom 22, stylist Sammy Salsa, PR and events maven Tatum Savage, Make-up artist Kiekie Stanners, PH Digital Partner & CEO Christine Kearney and PH Digital Content Lead Phoebe Watt (also an ex Editor of FNZ) as well as the FNZ team. This extended group helped ensure broader visibility across the local Influencer landscape, as well as providing unique points of view on all those whom we assessed.

Where we landed was a far cry from the list of 2023, with over half of the 2023 Power List not included in the 2024 List. We think that this is a good thing, as it shows us all that the industry is fluid, and there are few gatekeepers to Influence in Aotearoa. And imagine if other parts of the industry evolved like this – designers, magazines, stylists, shops etc – if the overall number of components each year grew by more than 30% and the leadership was refreshed this vigorously, the industry would be a far more dynamic place to inhabit.

So without further ado, we present to you The FNZ Creators Power List 2024!

The Vanguard

The 2024 Vanguard features eleven established creators who have become pillars of Aotearoa’s fashion and beauty industry through persistence, viral content, and unique connections. These influencers, trusted by brands for their reliability in delivering content and driving engagement, have elevated themselves to true advertising assets, commanding significant revenue and reshaping traditional media models. While they face constant challenges from rising stars, their consistent ability to carry brand news, product tips, and exclusive announcements to loyal audiences solidifies their role as key players in the evolving world of influence.

Jessie Kirk

IG @jessiekirk_

“In 2024, I believe fashion and beauty should be a space for everyone to express themselves freely, without judgment.”

Hercules Noble

IG @hercules_noble_food

“One element of how I present myself is how I dress. A nice shirt, well pressed trousers and a unique apron. Fashion has always been an interest of mine, and I’ve always taken pride in how I present myself, especially since starting my own business!”

Jane Joo

IG @imjanejoo

“To me, fashion is more than clothing but a personal brand. Often, people have come up to me and said “You’re that girl who does engineering and wears pink!” And in a world where I’m often in a male-dominated environment, my outfits are a form of self-expression and confidence.”

Hannah Barrett

IG @hannahlaity

“If I can make people laugh or inspire them to be the best versions of themselves then I consider that a win. I don’t take myself too seriously and I am all about being authentic.”

Cassandra Grodd

IG @cassandragrodd

“There’s nothing I love more than being stopped by someone who excitedly says, “I tried what you posted on Instagram, and I LOVE IT!”

Rosalie Burns

IG @rosalieburns

“What an incredible industry to work in! I genuinely love what I do—working with established brands and discovering new ones. I’ve been creating content full-time for five years now, and it’s been amazing to watch how the industry, and the way people influence, is evolving. It’s an exciting time, and in a way, it’s predictably unpredictable. “

Laura Mitchell (nee Hadlow)

IG @laurahadlow

“My love for sharing on social media started when I was 18 years old, I have since been lucky enough to work with some incredible brand partners including; Estee Lauder, Gucci, Jaguar, Revolve, Mecca, Nespresso & many more – which has involved travelling the world and attending some of the most incredible events.”

Mary Outram

IG @mary_oh_

“2024 was all about showing up boldly, embracing beauty, and connecting through fashion in meaningful ways.”

Juliette Perkins

IG @julietteperkins_

Undoubtedly one of New Zealand’s most successful young models, Juliette Perkins has authentic fashion roots that would be almost impossible to replicate.

Tobi Innes

IG @tobi.innes

“In 2024, I see fashion and beauty influence as a powerful way to express individuality and connect with like-minded people.”

Zeenat Wilkinson

IG @zeenatwilkinson

After studying at London’s Central Saint Martins, Zeenat spent time working as a stylist and editor in both London and Mumbai, contributing to publications such as Grazia India, Elle Decor, Vogue India and more. In 2012, she moved to New Zealand and worked for a handful of local titles before realising a gap in the market for something authentic, relaxed, yet still curated within the digital space. This realisation led to the inception of Sauce Magazine.

The Artists

An often-overlooked category of influencers, the humility of most artists is what sees them resigned to the background of even the most exciting trends, visions and ideas. For far too long, artists have been listed last in the credits, or paid to create work that is only credited to the brand, without the true recognition for their work.

The below group of artists resonate with New Zealand fashion & beauty in myriad ways, and most have taken their skills off-shore to share them on the global stage. From make-up artists to fine artists, photographers and stylists, these eight creators deserve every bit as much recognition as their Influencer counterparts.

Anahita Paul

IG @anahitapaul

Positioning herself as ‘grounded in visual storytelling and the intersection between content and art’ we frequently fangirl over her artwork which balances traditional mediums and technique with a style that perfectly appeals to social media formats.

Estelle Schuler

IG @estelle.schuler

Loved by everyone, Estelle is the ultimate cool-girl muse—someone you can’t help but want to work with, be like, or simply be around.

Holly Burgess

IG @hollysarahburgess

Holly’s calendar is buzzing with clients lining up to get her signature touch on their campaigns.

Kiekie Stanners

IG @kiekie__

Kiekie is dedicated to the future of Aotearoa fashion, striving to inspire creativity and champion the industry’s diverse ecosystem—designers, writers, stylists, hair and makeup artists, producers, PR professionals, and authentic influencers—to ensure its ongoing success.

Liz Hyun

IG @liz_hyun

With an exquisite eye for detail and an innate talent for transformation, Liz has graced the pages of major publications like Fashion Quarterly, Viva, and Remix.

Tallulah

IG @look.bomb

Amongst the stand out artists of the year, we couldn’t help but include the talented and original work of MUA Tallulah McLean, current winner of the VIVA Beauty Awards Makeup Artist of the Year 2024.

Lochie Stonehouse

IG @lochiestonehouse

Lochie Stonehouse continues to redefine beauty, blending innovation and artistry to leave an indelible mark on the fashion and beauty worlds.

Synthia Bahati

IG @synthiabahati

Using photography as her preferred medium Synthia is deeply inspired by her lived experience of Black identity in Aotearoa, celebrating themes of representation, community, and self-determined beauty.

The Up-and-Comers

What is fashion if not a constant examination of “What’s next?” Our celebration of Influencers in Aotearoa wouldn’t be complete without a look at “Who’s next?”, including some of the faces who are beginning to permeate the all-too-often impenetrable wall of the Fashion Industry and make their mark with content and new ideas.

Connie Lang-Brown

IG @connielangbrown

Connie is a ray of sunshine and is another creator who brings energy and optimism to an industry that often thinks it’s cool to look sad.

Dennise Palpal-latoc

IG @asianbellahadid

One could say that, unlike many of fashion’s incumbant leaders, these Up-and-Comers share the enviable characteristic of not taking themselves too seriously. No one could be more worthy of praise for this characteristic than Dennise Palpal-latoc

Marco Stander

IG @marco.stander

With a background in retail management alongside full-time study, Marco is another creator who’s on the cusp of moving with more authority in New Zealand fashion.

Randy Sjafrie

IG @randysjafrie_

Only one of the most stylish men in New Zealand, you may know him best for gracing the airwaves
at Mai FM.

Sophie de Renzy

IG @sophiederenzy

2024 is Sophie’s second year on the Power List, and she has increased her value for brands over the last 12 months, seeing her once again make the cut in 2024.

Troi Atkins

IG @troiatkins

New Zealand is one of the few regions where a following this modest could garner real brand equity, but Troi is playing her cards right, continuing to show up both literally and figuratively for the industry.

The Industry

When it comes to influential figures in fashion and media, the minds shaping your favourite magazines, online publications, and best-dressed lists may not be as instantly recognisable as those on your TikTok feed. Yet, their impact is undeniable — setting trends and shaping brands from behind the scenes. This year’s line-up highlights creatives with over a decade of experience in Aotearoa’s publishing and media landscape, whose work not only strengthens the local industry but also brings New Zealand’s unique talent, brands, and vision to an international stage.

Sarah Murray

IG @searsmurray

Sarah Murray is the owner, publisher, and editor of Fashion Quarterly, New Zealand’s leading fashion print publication.

Dan Ahwa

IG @danahwa

Dan Ahwa is recognised as one of Aotearoa’s foremost journalists and stylists, and a leading authority in fashion.

Greta Kenyon

IG @greta.kenyon

Greta Kenyon is an accomplished creative and the visionary founder of Together Journal, a publication dedicated to modern love and weddings.

Sarah Stuart

IG @styledbysarahstuart

You may not instantly recognise Sarah Stuart’s name, but her work is a staple of New Zealand television and celebrity red carpet appearances.

Sammy Salsa

IG @sammysalsastyle

One of New Zealand’s most sought-after fashion stylists, Sammy Salsa is celebrated for his bold and innovative approach to styling.

The Internationals

Representing Aotearoa on the world stage, these six women have blazed their own trails in the worlds of fashion influence, modelling, acting, choreography and business. Starting out in New Zealand but having global aspirations is a daunting task, and for some it’s come easier than others. However, you make your own luck, and these six female fashion, beauty and business mavens continue to define what it means to influence in 2024 with a combined audience just shy of 4 million on Instagram alone.

Jaime Ridge

IG @jaimeridge

Jaime Ridge is a creative director, stylist, producer, brand consultant, and on top of all that, a mother and wife. Based in Los Angeles, she has solidified herself as a go-to creator in the world of luxury and bespoke brand collaborations.

Caitlin Wiig

IG @caitlinwiig

Caitlin Wiig is a PR professional, brand consultant, and fashion influencer. Sharing personal and curated content she has attracted and built a loyal following after her venture into the social media world in 2021.

Georgia Fowler

IG @georgiafowler

Georgia Fowler is a model and mother based in Sydney. An icon in the fashion industry, her career has taken her across the globe, put her on the cover of industry-leading fashion magazines and had her walking acclaimed runways of designers such as Chanel, Prada, Balmain and Victoria’s Secret.

Grace Palmer

IG @gracemmpalmer

Grace Palmer is an actress based in Vancouver. With her career starting out on Shortland Street like many other hopeful Kiwi actors, Grace has shown us all where hard work and talent can get you, soaring to international success with her most recent role on the hit TV show ‘Animal Control’.

Parris Goebel

IG @parrisgoebel

Parris Goebel is a world-renowned dancer and choreographer based in Los Angeles, best known for founding the Palace Dance Crew and its internationally acclaimed group, The Royal Family.

Jess Clarke

IG @roimata

Jessica Clarke is a model and entrepreneur based in London. She is the co-founder and creative behind Mother Made Mushrooms, a wellness brand focused on supplements to combat stress and anxiety. Starting out in the modelling industry at age 15, Jess quickly rose to international prominence, walking major runways in Milan, Paris, New York and London by age 17.