#BoF500 – The New Class: Creative Class

LONDON, United Kingdom — The global fashion business is animated by the ideas, emotions and actions of a core community of influential insiders. Since 2013, The Business of Fashion has been hand-curating a list of these select influencers, resulting in the annual BoF 500. Each year, we blend our own on-the-ground intelligence with hundreds of nominations from current and former BoF 500 members, unearthing interesting new names from across the world.

This year, the BoF 500 is more diverse than ever before, with 113 new members representing every exciting facet of this trillion-dollar industry. They join a host of established names, from designers, executives and retailers to media professionals, technology entrepreneurs, models and muses. Together, these are the people shaping the global fashion industry in 2016. Here are the 12 newly inducted creatives.

Cass Bird – Photographer, New York

Cass Bird | Source: Courtesy

Known for her exploration of the feminine identity, this American photographer has shot campaigns for Jimmy Choo and Calvin Klein, amongst others.

Christine Centenera – Fashion Director, Vogue Australia, Sydney/New York

Christine Centenera | Source: Courtesy

The stylist has found herself at the centre of a very influential group of celebrities and fashion insiders, including Kanye West and Justin O’Shea.

Colin Dodgson – Photographer, London/New York

Colin Dodgson | Source: Courtesy

Capturing raw emotion through film, this analogue photographer is considered a true auteur by his peers.

Collier Schorr – Photographer, New York

Collier Schorr | Source: Courtesy

Exploring the boundaries between gender and identity in her work, the New Yorker has shot campaigns for Comme des Garçons, Saint Laurent and Lanvin.

Doug Abraham – Artist, New York

Doug Abraham | Source: Courtesy

Known for his counter-cultural collages on Instagram, the iconoclastic image-maker now works with the likes of Adidas, Dior and Givenchy.

Helen Downie – Artist, London

Helen Downie | Source: Courtesy

Despite having no formal training, the Instagram artist’s portfolio now boasts commissions from the likes of Gucci and Vogue.

Isamaya Ffrench – Makeup Artist, London

Isamaya Ffrench | Source: Courtesy

From humble beginnings as a face painter, the young makeup artist has now done editorials for W Magazine, Garage Magazine, Love Magazine and several more.

Lotta Volkova – Stylist, Paris

Lotta Volkova | Source: Courtesy

The stylist of the moment, Volkova has been integral to the creative visions of Vetements, Sies Marjan and the newly reborn Balenciaga.

Piergiorgio Del Moro – Casting Director, Exposure NY, New York

Piergiorgio Del Moro | Source: Courtesy

Having launched his career in China and Japan, the eminent Italian casting director casts runway shows for the likes of Versace, Fendi, and Dries Van Noten.

René Célestin – Managing Partner & Founder, OBO, Paris

The show and TV producer regularly orchestrates fashion shows for the likes of Altuzarra and Gucci.

Zoë Ghertner – Photographer, Los Angeles

Zoë Ghertner | Source: Courtesy

The young photographer's naturalistic aesthetic has been employed by the likes of Dior and Hermès.

A collectible directory of the people shaping the global fashion industry in 2016 is included in the fourth annual BoF 500 special print edition. Click here to order your copy.

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