The rise of social media has changed how fashion designing is pursued.

Let's be honest, in 2026 whenever you open social media you can't ignore the constant OOTD, GRWM, fit check, ‘a day in the life of a fashion designer’ and ‘romanticizing fashion designing' type of content. All these trends focus heavily on fashion, and how each person uses clothing in content. Where in the past fashion design was often not taken as seriously, suddenly everyone wants to be on the front row of a fashion show. A lot of people that used to criticise the importance of fashion have shifted perspective. 

So let’s decode this journey….

In the past where clothes were designed specifically for runways, fashion designers used to treat clothes like pieces of art rather than making them for ‘everyday looks. They used to be dramatic, extravagant, extraordinary, elegant. 

‘Ready to wear fashion’ which focused more on everyday, affordable, mass production rose in popularity in the 20th century, which was a disappointment for many fashion enthusiasts, focused more on simplicity rather than the art of design.  

As social media became more popular, fashion designers themselves started using technology for various work such as pattern making and creating 3D models of clothes. The introduction of socials did help a lot in rising profits, as designers can easily showcase their work to a wider audience. 

Before social media, there were some myths that I heard constantly as someone who wanted to go into fashion design:

“Fashion designing is just ‘tailoring’ and it doesn't even have proper compensation”.

Many people used to think that design wasn’t necessarily something to be taken seriously, that it required only sewing and wasn't a real career.

 The common reasoning behind these myths was rooted in two main factors: lack of awareness and access to education on fashion and internal jealousy.

Designers over social media proved them wrong.  They’ve shown that fashion requires skills, creativity, imagination, and a talent for numbers. The industry has highs and lows, same as anything.

Eventually social media became more than just trends, people have begun sharing the more real sides of their journey: the burning out, the high pressure, the panic of not completing tasks. It was like a slap on the face to all the criticism that stemmed from the idea that ‘fashion is easy’.

Conclusion

The rise of social media has had a positive impact on fashion enthusiasts, designers and the industry. As well as outsiders who used to put fashion in a box that it didn’t belong in. It also helped young, passionate future fashion designers showcase their creativity and find opportunities with high end fashion designers and their labels.

XOXO, The Fashion Stock Market