'Twinfluencers' are taking over the internet

Why settle for one style icon when you can have two? Swapping sibling rivalry for social media success, ‘twinfluencers’ are making the high fashion community do a double-take thanks to their mirror-image aesthetic. Building their brands off of their biological feats, these tastemakers are leveling up their marketing power and cultural appeal; an advantage that’s transforming them into global sensations across the style scene. Fashion’s fascination with duplication has been well documented. For Gucci’s Spring/Summer 2023 campaign, the Italian maison sent 68 sets of identical twins down its ‘Twinsberg’ runway in matching ensembles, sparking internet virality, while twin models have become a staple fixture on British designer Richard Quinn’s catwalks. Off the runway, fashion-loving twinsets have scoped an opportunity to stand out from the overly saturated influencer and KOL landscape by capitalizing on their carbon-copy advantage — after all, only one in every 42 children is born a twin. As part of Jing Daily’s KOL tracker, we take a look at the ‘twinfluencers’ making noise across the fashion stage, from being spotted walking side by side at fashion weeks to rubbing shoulders with the upper echelons of pop culture. Amiaya Social context 270,000 on Instagram Who are they The self-acclaimed “Pink Twins,” Japanese sister duo Ami and Aya (aka Amiaya), rose to fame after snapping themselves on the streets of Harajuku, cementing their status across the West as two of Japan’s most influential KOLs. Now based in Tokyo, the pair has expanded their image into arenas such as music, modeling, and DJing, leaving their rose-colored mark on the industry. Their impact Amiaya’s matching fuschia bobs and unapologetically brash aesthetic – meticulously primed to complement the other’s style choice – hasn’t only won over fashion aficionados. Their distinct image, which racks up a high level of internet engagement, has also caught the attention of industry heavyweights. This Spring/Summer 2024 fashion month, the twinset frequented the FROW at the likes of Dries Van Noten, Chanel, Boss, and Rabanne, as well as hosted their own DJ set at Tory Burch’s exclusive Paris afterparty. Simihaze Social context 1.7 million on Instagram Who are they Matching sleek brunette tresses and a carefully curated Instagram page are the driving forces behind Simihaze’s success. Palestine-born, California-based identical twins, Simi and Haze Khadra, are somewhat of a breakout phenomenon – the two started their careers as buyers for a Riyadh-based boutique, before rising to become potentially the most powerful twinset in pop culture. Today, they’ve featured in campaigns for denim label 7 For All Mankind, and count Blackpink’s Jennie and Selena Gomez as close associates. Their impact Rubbing shoulders with some of the biggest pop sensations has massively contributed to Simihaze’s global amplification (Simi is rumored to be dating music artist The Weeknd). But don’t underestimate their own cultural pull. The two recently branched out from the internet to launch their own beauty label that focuses on minimalism and the prevailing ‘clean beauty’ trend. It’s a strategy the likes of Kylie Jenner and Hailey Beiber have also harnessed as a way of elevating their universal prominence, turning their widely-recognized aesthetic into full-fledged brands. By2 (Miko & Yumi Bai) Social context 726,000 on Instagram (Yumi), 585,000 on Instagram (Miko) Who are they More commonly known as their collective brand By2, Singaporean-born sisters Yumi and Miko Bai have made noise across China’s fashion scene thanks to their Douyin “it girl” image and successful pop career in the APAC region. After rising to fame in the naughties and gaining music stardom, the twins have amassed a strong social media presence, with the opportunity to gain recognition from the high fashion landscape. Their impact The “twinfluencer” economy across China is still largely unexplored, giving the duo a significant leg-up in gaining visibility across the mainland – especially if they can master the fashion angle. Their presence across Western social media, however, is still small. Twins remain in high demand across fashion thanks to their elevated appeal, meaning there’s potential for Yumi and Miko to expand beyond local collaborations. So far, the pair has only dabbled in partnering with niche Chinese brands, such as Ssavage. Scott and Brett Staniland Social context 61,300 on Instagram (Scott), 96,000 on Instagram (Brett) Who are they You might recognize Brett Staniland’s face from season seven of the UK’s popular Love Island series, but the model, identical twin, and influencer’s real potential was only realized following his departure from the program. Now fully immersed in the British fashion community, Staniland and his brother Scott (the pair go by @twinbrett and @twinscott, respectively, on Instagram) have cultivated a strong follower base thanks to their unfiltered content that speaks out against fast fashion conglomerates – not to mention their great style choices, too. Their impact The couplet have leveraged their collective voice by teaming up to become two of the UK’s most-vocal sustainable fashion advocates. But their content is more than performative; both Stanilands are often spotted in the crowds at fast-fashion protests and have repeatedly called out brands including Levi’s, Pretty Little Thing, and Boohoo for their unfair treatment of workers. It’s this commitment to improving the fashion industry that has propelled the twins to internet fame. The Flag Twins Social context 13,800 on Instagram Who are they Self-branded “Dukes of Peckham,” London-Ghanian duo The Flag Twins (real names Kevin and Karlon Bonsu) embody the art of duality. Their complementary bleach-blonde locks and outlandish street-style has helped the two creative moguls earn their stripes across the British fashion scene and beyond. Splitting their time between creating, shooting, and featuring in campaigns, DJing, and sitting on the frontlines of fashion week, the trailblazers may have originally earned attention for their similarities, but it’s their contribution to the London-fashion scene that really sets them apart from the crowd. Their impact Though their social following may still be small, the twins have already resonated with a number of luxury maisons. The pair was one of the couplets to feature on Gucci’s “Twinsberg” runway last year, enveloped in boxy, logo-lined suits and crystal-fringed shades. The twins’ star power has also been recognized by Vetements, Ray-Ban, Farfetch, and Ralph Lauren. But there’s also more to Kevin and Karlon than meets the eye. The two are the brains behind Mission Statement Magazine – a London-based arts and culture publication that dives deep into the UK capital’s melting pot of diverse talent.

'Twinfluencers' are taking over the internet

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Published October 19, 2023

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'Twinfluencers' are taking over the internet