Fashion
established by
virtual influencers?
Everything is online nowadays – especially shopping. Brands often work with influencers who recommend the items. Consumers are more likely to purchase things meanwhile influencers work hard to create emotional connections with their audiences.
Unfortunately, the future of the influencer business has been called uncertain, as budgets shrink and the pool of talent grows more saturated. Naturally, the selection will occur amongst influencers, and only the best will be able to continue running their online personas as businesses.
Therefore, a new breed of influencer is rising to the top of the Instagram algorithm: the virtual influencer. Three of the biggest computer-generated influencers are Miquela Sousa, Bermuda and last but not the least Noonoouri. Well, the last one listed was created nine years ago by a Munich-based designer named Joerg Zuber. Although, he decided to introduce Noonoouri on Instagram on February 1, 2018 during New York Fashion Week. Noonoouri is recognised by designers, models and celebrities from Maria Grazia Chiuri at Dior to Naomi Campbell and Kim Kardashian-West. Her follower count is currently at 360K, and the number grows everyday.
“It was important to me for Noonoouri to have a message. Through her, I have a platform with which I can make a difference. I want to make the most of this opportunity, because unfortunately many real influencers rarely do so,” – Zuber
Virtual influencer Noonoouri
Miquela is another computer-generated — artificial persona. The 19-year-old, Los Angeles-based, Brazilian/Spanish model and musician fills her Instagram feed with an endless stream of “outfit-of-the-day” shots, featuring Chanel, Proenza Schouler, Supreme, Vetements and Vans.
The project was created by Trevor McFedries and Sara DeCou and began in 2016 as an Instagram profile. In April 2020, she has over 2.1 million followers.
Robot, instagram model and music artist Lil-Miquela
Zuber has designed Noonoouri to be “innovative, entertaining and very personal and honest,” with an altruistic side as well. “She is a fantasy, stepping into our world to show us things like we maybe have never seen them before”.
