It’s time we pay homage to the MySpace influencer kids of the mid 00s, and it’s @indiesleaze aesthetic. Modern influencers aren’t new. In fact, influencers have existed, in some form, since the creation of social media in the late 90s. With Instagram, Tik Tok, and Youtube dominating the current social media world, each one gives a home to whatever identity you wish to pursue, in short, the internet is more crowded today. MySpace, however, nearly single-handedly dictated the fashion trends and subcultures of the time due to the platforms dominance of the social media game in the mid 00s. The profiles on MySpace could even be classified as the “Original influencers.” Many of which, we still remember and still participate in social media to this day.

It’s worth noting, that while Scene Kids, Emos and Indie Sleaze were some of the staple styles of the platform, which overlapped and shared various aspects, they all had their own distinct styles. These distinct stylisations could be seen across MySpace and on the famous profiles of the platform.

From the likes of The Millionaires, Kiki Kannibal, Jac Vanek, Amor Hilton, Sonny Moore (Skrillex), and even Tom Hardy. With social media still in its infancy, it’s easy to see how MySpace’s domination could have very easily defined a generation of fashion and the multiple subcultures that sprung out with their own distinct styles with Emo, Indie Sleaze, and Scene Kids. I mean, Skrillex basically invented the top down selfie.

(Photo credit: Kirsten Hartsoch // Tim Mosenfelder)