Rahul Patel, fashion influencer, is the latest model to join our We Are Models Influencer Community. Turning a career in fashion photography into a thriving and lucrative career as a worldwide fashion influencer, Rahul grew to 50K followers in just over 6 months. Now inundated with brands looking to work with him, Rahul has built a career travelling the world wearing some of the top men’s fashion brands.
We caught up with him to find out what he does, how he does it, and what advice he’d share with others looking to follow in his footsteps.
Introducing…. Fashion influencer Rahul Patel
WAM: Hi Rahul, thanks for having a chat with us. We’re super excited to have you as part of our We Are Models Influencer Community!
R.P: Thanks! I’m happy to be on board.
WAM: So, the really interesting thing about your journey is how quickly it’s all happened for you. How did you get to where you are now?
R.P: Well, it wasn’t planned at all! It’s been a real surprise to be honest.
I studied Photography at A Levels and then went to New Zealand to play premier and professional cricket at the Bracewell Academy. Once the season finished over there, I came back to London and attended Canterbury Christ Church University where I studied Graphic Design. I came out with a First Class Degree, and during my studies I’d been doing a lot of fashion photography.
I’d always loved clothes, even as a kid, so it was natural that I was focusing on fashion. I was working as a professional photographer until August 2015, and then my career took a rapid turn into being a fashion influencer.
Fashion Inflencer | Rahul Patel
WAM: How did you move from being a photographer into being an influencer?
R.P: I was a well-known photographer with a good personal style, so brands were regularly sending me products. As 2015 went on, more and more brands wanted to pay me to wear their clothes and post pictures.
My Instagram following was rising rapidly because I was posting all these pictures regularly, so I decided to change my career and be a full-time fashion influencer.
WAM: Is Instagram your main platform?
R.P: Yeah, Instagram is the main hub because it’s so suited to fashion and showing your life and personal style. I’ve got more than 50k followers on Instagram, and I’m also on Twitter and Snapchat. I have 15k followers on Twitter and I’m building up Snapchat at the moment.
WAM: I imagine that’s a lot of work!
R.P: Yes and no. I mean, it’s not hectic but I am really busy with emails and calls from brands, and obviously with actually creating great content. I’d say it’s an easy life though! I love clothes, and I get to travel the world, get free clothes and get paid on top of it all. I love doing it, so it doesn’t feel like work.
Fashion Influencer | Rahul Patel
“I get to travel the world and wear free clothes. It doesn’t feel like work”
WAM: What’s the best thing you’ve done in your career so far?
R.P: Definitely the MIDO exhibition in Milan! The Italian Embassy flew me out last week. It’s the biggest eyewear event in the world. That sums it up really. Travelling to amazing places and wearing amazing fashion – it’s a great career to have.
WAM: It sounds it! So what’s your advice to our aspiring model influencers who want to follow in your footsteps?
R.P: Be different. That’s all I can say. If you’re the same as all the other people, then you’re not going to stand out. I believe I’ve been successful because I’m building a really solid personal brand. The way I look and dress, the kind of images I take. It’s really recognisable, and it’s not really been done.
I mean, obviously men’s fashion has been done. But it’s about finding your niche, where you can stand out. My images are all out and about; it’s exciting and it’s different. It’s not bland, which a lot of male fashion bloggers can be. It’s an insight into my life as well as the brands I wear, so that’s what I’m building my brand on. I post high-end photos and videos regularly, and my followers know what to expect from my brand and my channel.
Fashion Influencer | Rahul Patel
“Be different. If you’re the same as all the other people, then you’re not going to stand out. I believe I’ve been successful because I’m building a really solid personal brand”
So that’s what I’d say to other aspiring influencers. Create high-quality, unique content. Stand out, and your content will do the work.
WAM: Amazing Rahul, thank you so much for your time. It’s been great chatting to you!
You can follow Rahul on Instagram HERE and on Twitter HERE and see his website HERE to see what he’s been up to and the brands he loves.
Want to build a career like Rahul? If you’ve already got 30k or more followers you can apply to join Rahul in our Influencer Community. If you’re not there yet but want to be, our Premier membership package is especially designed to help models step up their social footprint. Build a career as a model influencer today – READ MORE.
