Tonight marks Marie Claire's Verified party in partnership with Hugo Boss Watches, celebrating this year's power list, the women using their platforms for positive change - the influencers you need to be following now.
In our complicated and messy modern world, a meaningless pout posted on social media no longer cuts it. We’re looking to influencers who have something to say, and who are prepared to take a stand. Style without substance is not enough when there’s so much at stake – from the future of our planet and our politics to the ongoing fight for equality and representation. That’s why the Marie Claire Verified power list 2019 champions women who use Instagram to amplify a positive message, inspire others, build a community, start a movement or open a difficult conversation. We’re celebrating those who use their influence – today’s most sort-after commodity – to make things a bit better than they were yesterday.
Take film-maker Kat Hawkins (@amputee_kat; 10.2K followers), a self-described ‘film-maker, movement shaker, disabled babe’, who charts her life as an amputee and inspires us all to take life ‘one step at a time’, or Lauren Mahon (@iamlaurenmahon; 43.4K followers), who paints an honest and heartfelt portrayal of life with cancer. Immy Lucas (@sustainably_vegan; 59K followers) also stars on this year’s list. Lucas started the Low Impact Movement to help us all try to lead a more sustainable and responsible lifestyle, encouraging us to make small, achievable changes each day. Meanwhile, Grace Victory (@gracefvictory; 151K followers), podcaster, counsellor and all-round inspiration, wants women to ‘step into their power’, and Candice Brathwaite (@candicebrathwaite; 38.7K followers) has started an online movement and podcast to challenge the images of motherhood online.
We hope you agree that the impressive women listed – some of whom you might have already spotted in Marie Claire and others who you will be seeing more of over the next 12 months on our platforms – are all working hard to make a difference in the digital world and beyond, with core values that align with our own.
Sustainably Vegan, 59k
Immy Lucas originally went vegan to lose weight, but now the vlogger and founder of the Low Impact Movement uses her platform to expose the environmental impact of eating meat, and the extent of the animal cruelty involved.
Venetia Falconer, 47.4k
Vlogger and podcaster Venetia Falconer is all for mindful consumption, encouraging her followers to eat more plants, cut down on fast fashion and single-use plastics, and even turn off their phones at the weekend to save electricity.
Jasmine Hemsley, 84.3k
Nutrition and wellness expert Jasmine Hemsley is a true believer of the ancient healing system of Ayurveda and credits a happy feeling to a healthy lifestyle. She commits to eco choices and sustainability in all things food, fashion and beauty related.
Candice Brathwaite, 38.6k
When Candice Brathwaite felt the need to blog about her young black family to prove that they weren’t just surviving but thriving, she founded Make Motherhood Diverse, a much-applauded online movement and podcast that challenges the single story of motherhood.
Mother Pukka, 205k
With the support of her husband Matt Farquharson (@papa_pukka), parenting blogger and winner of the Marie Claire Future Shapers Award 2018, Anna Whitehouse has been asking employers to think beyond the 9-5 hours with her #FlexAppeal campaign.
Mother of Daughters, 643k
With four daughters, two bestselling books and a career as an NHS midwife cementing her knowledge, Clemmie Hooper uses her blog to educate aspiring midwives, mummies-to-be and first-time parents on pregnancy, birth and mothering young children.
Adrienne LDN, 38.6k
If fitness blogger, marathon runner and motivational speaker Adrienne Herbert isn’t out and about promoting all the ways exercising can improve our mental and physical health, she is busy hosting inspiring guests on her weekly podcast Power Hour.
Holly Grant, 20.2k
Brutally honest about the changes in a woman’s body during pregnancy, new mum and Pilates instructor Hollie Grant is on a mission to help you love exercise. Her The Pilates PT Method encourages women to build a strong, capable body without deprivation or body shaming.
Aj Odudu, 55.5k
TV presenter AJ Odudu stole the hearts of many Brits after competing in Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, raising money for cancer research. As a qualified personal trainer and sports nutritionist, her platform is a reliable source of health and fitness tips.
Style Me Sunday, 68.8k
What started as a fashion blog became an outlet to discuss Natalie Lee’s feelings, struggles and other controversial issues. Lee later co-founded The Everything Project, a podcast inviting everyone from cancer patients and adult entertainers to victims of poverty and sexual abuse.
En Brogue, 24.6k
Fashion journalist Hannah Rochell made a vow to stop buying clothes or accepting gifts from brands for at least a year. Instead, she is providing transparent captions for her outfit pictures, talking about the brand, the fabric and the wear she gets out of each item.
The Frugality, 226k
Staying true to her frugal lifestyle, stylist Alex Stedman offers tips for shopping on the high street and putting together affordable outfits, while occasionally showing glimpses of her townhouse renovations and daughter Peggy.
Grillo Designs, 55.9k
In her popular #HowIRent series, interior blogger and vlogger Medina Grillo shares tricks and DIY projects for transforming a rented space without losing your deposit. Her first book, Home Sweet (Rented) Home, is released on 22 August.
Sew Yeah, 12.7k
The colourful Instagram feed of Marie Claire’s creative director Christine Leech features handy sewing advice, home decoration hacks and DIY pom-pom-crafted accessories, as well as details of her next workshops – keep an eye out.
Laura Jackson, 91.8k
Author, TV presenter and Marie Claire’s lifestyle columnist Laura Jackson labels herself ‘an interior and travel geek’. Via her latest venture Lore (@lore.london), she writes about her go-to supper clubs, foodie destinations and interior inspiration.
Emma Hoareau, 53.8k
Emma Hoareau is a freelance photographer and ‘skinfluencer’ with glowing cheeks, an eye for beauty and a strong taste for travel. Her Instagram feed is a combo of rose-tinted product flat lays, self-portraits and artworks, featuring some of the best buys beauty has to offer.
Lisa Oxenham, 11.7k
Marie Claire’s beauty and style director Lisa Oxenham opens up the conversation around mental health and well-being with the hashtag #LiseOfLife. She also created #ImBack, an online community that inspires women to feel confident through beauty.
Madeleine Loves This, 11.1k
Blogger and founder of the Beauty Full Lives podcast, Madeleine Spencer isn’t afraid to get into topics like money, anxiety and Vedic meditation with her fellow influencer friends, as long as their make-up drawers and skincare routines are also discussed.
Shahroo Izadi, 4k
Behavioural change specialist Shahroo Izadi’s uplifting posts deliver self-love, triggering messages of encouragement. Her book, The Kindness Method, is celebrated for helping readers drop unwanted habits by simply being gentler with themselves.
Poorna Bell, 10.6k
Filled with honest proclamations about her own life struggles, award-winning journalist Poorna Bell’s feed is a breath of fresh air. Her latest book, In Search Of Silence, is a heartfelt journey of personal discovery that translates into touching advice for others.
Bella Mackie, 98.7k
Praised for speaking candidly about her own mental-health struggles, journalist and running fanatic Bella Mackie utilises her uplifting feed to emphasise the power of exercise in alleviating life’s heavy burdens.
Nikita Gill, 525k
Nikita Gill uses her platform to showcase empowering poetry that has inspired women worldwide. In her latest book, Fierce Fairytales, the artist and writer turns cherished fairy tales on their head by giving them a feminist makeover.
Grace F Victory, 151k
Body-image champion Grace Victory utilises her vibrant feed to remind females to love the skin they’re in. Her The Sister Space podcast provides a platform for women to discuss everything from pop culture to self-care and dealing with trauma.
Charli Howard, 169k
Charli Howard shot to fame as a body-positivity activist after penning an open letter that called out a body shaming model agency. The model proudly advocates that curves, stretch marks and cellulite are female attributes to be celebrated.
Hayley Hasselhoff, 82.3k
Plus-size model and Marie Claire columnist Hayley Hasselhoff’s fiery feed calls for better diversity in the fashion industry, as well as more inclusive sizing.
Amputee Kat, 10.2k
Film-maker and dance enthusiast Kat Hawkins’s active profile shows what daily life with a disability is like, and inspires her followers to never allow themselves to be defined by their limitations.
Munroe Bergdorf, 146k
Munroe Bergdorf is the founder of @goddessplatform, a space that celebrates the global voices of trans, non-binary and intersex people. As an editor at Dazed, Bergdorf shares the stories of transgender individuals facing adversity.
Lauren Mahon, 43.5k
Lauren Mahon, aka @girlvscancer, uses her platform to raise awareness of the disease. Mahon’s profile features images of post-mastectomy patients to place a spotlight on the beauty of every cancer sufferer’s bravery.
Gynae Geek, 52.2k
Gynaecologist Dr Anita Mitra’s refreshing feed provides an all encompassing guide to down there. Her new book, The Gynae Geek, helps normalise the conversation around women’s reproductive health.
Alice Olins, 23k
Co-founded by fashion journalist Alice Olins, The Step Up Club is a platform that seeks to inspire and empower women to get the most out of their careers and personal networks.
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