Why celebs like Khloé Kardashian and Justin Bieber are flocking to this fashion social media platform

When it comes to being a style influencer, creating the right look is only half the battle. The other big challenge is connecting to your audience in a meaningful way, and fashion pioneer Julie Ann Quay is doing just that.

Quay is the CEO of VFILES, a social media platform for emerging designers and others in the fashion community. “VFILES is a creative community that we monetize by allowing brands to connect to our community and allowing our community to connect to brands,” says Quay.

“I created VFILES in 2012 because I saw that too much of fashion was based on who you knew and a golden ticket,” she adds.

Quay also aimed to foster a community where creativity and collaboration could be nurtured in a positive way. “Fashion is mean. But I do say that when I started VFILES in 2012 it was a lot meaner than it is now,” says Quay. “Right now, I think fashion is going through a great change. Those people at the top of the industry are digging down and pulling up the new and I feel really good about that.”

VFILES runway mentor and celebrity stylist Law Roach tells Yahoo Lifestyle that it’s important to him to stay connected to upcoming designers.

“That’s how you stay relevant as well,” said Roach, who has styled celebrities like Zendaya and Mary J. Blige. “The next Marc Jacobs or the next Gianni Versace or whoever could be in this room, and I think it’s important that we nurture that and we help these people develop and grow and give them opportunities,” he adds.

“We’ve created a community that’s literally influencing the influencers and pushing culture forward,” says Quay. “I’m just proud to have been a part of the journey, and I want to create more journeys,” she adds.

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