REMI BADER
n 2023, there are countless ways to be an influencer. You can wake up one morning and find that, somehow, a video of you dancing now has 15 million views. You can turn a brief reality television appearance or college sports career into a substantial following. You can buy followers. You can hustle from the ground up for more partnerships and more exposure, and build the audience yourself bit by bit. You can do all of the above, even in your sleep.
For older generations, becoming an influencer or content creator might seem unrealistic in the same way that wanting to become an actor or pop star can. But the truth is that influencer marketing is a $14 billion industry, one that’s made up of small town bloggers and supermodels and everyone in between—and that’s exactly why you hear those stories about kids listing “influencer” as their dream job. Making money from just being yourself? Who wouldn’t dream of that?
Remi Bader, who has spent the last two years growing the type of following that most people on social media dream of, wasn’t thinking about all that when she first went viral in 2020. In fact, her rise to fame wasn’t really a concerted effort. Instead, she tells STYLECASTER, it was as simple as having a voice and a tiny whisper of a dream that, maybe, other people should be able to hear that voice, too.
“It was such an accident,” Bader says of her audience, which consists of more than two million people on TikTok and nearly half-a-million on Instagram. “I also believe that everything happens for a reason. I feel like even without me fully realizing it, deep down, I definitely wanted more for myself.”
Under Her Influence
By: Olivia Muenter
If you’re on social media, you’ve probably seen the type of videos that Bader is now famous for: Realistic clothing hauls that reveal just how different clothing can look online versus in real life, particularly on curvier bodies. The videos are engaging, warm and hilarious—the kind of content that feels entirely unique and, at the same time, helps you feel so much less alone.
“I don't want to force or have to beg any brands or designers to have me come to NYFW. I want to, but if I'm not wanted, I don't want to be there.”
Dress: Versace. Bracelet: Lady Grey.
Dress: Victoria Beckham. Shoes: Jimmy Choo. Earrings: Joanna Laura Constantine
REMI X REVOLVE became the first extended-size line at Revolve, which carries more than 500 brands, and also marked a theme in Bader’s career: serving as a conduit of feedback from consumers to companies. “Having the capsule with Remi allowed us to create a collection with all her feedback, as well as her audience and community,” Revolve’s Chief Brand Officer Raissa Gerona tells STYLECASTER. “She was able to get firsthand suggestions and responses of what her followers were looking for and we did our best to deliver.”
Bader’s superpower lies in her ability to listen to her followers, all 2.2 million (and counting) of them. For example, Bader created a video for Victoria’s Secret Pink that provided a glimpse behind the curtain: her followers told her that a specific bra wasn’t quite right, she told Victoria’s Secret and a year later, 'et voilà, the brand fixed the bra. “I take what my followers think into consideration,” says Bader. “I want to be that middle point person to brands like Revolve.”
Dress: Loewe. Shoes: Steve Madden. Ring: EF Collection
Still, Bader sees high points in the industry, naming Tommy Hilfiger’s September 2022 show as a true beacon for optimism. “I felt like I was watching people walk around in New York City of all different sizes, of all different ethnicities. I thought it was so amazing to see old women, old men, and plus size men, which you never see, and I got emotional. And not just one or two plus size women, but a few of them,” Bader explains, reiterating an idea that Bader’s own content seems to reflect for many people: In a time where it’s easy to feel like everyone is doing the same thing, there are bright spots indicating change.
Dress: Christian Siriano. Shoes: Steve Madden. Earrings: EF Collection
Dress: Victoria Beckham. Shoes: Jimmy Choo. Earrings: Joanna Laura Constantine
- REMI BADER
Remi Bader is listening to her fans, and major fashion brands are listening to her. Read on for what she’s manifesting in 2023—and a major reveal.
I
Before building her audience on TikTok and beyond, Bader was in PR and marketing and just starting her career as a curve model. She began making the haul videos in 2020 because she felt “bored,” but when she digs a little deeper, she realizes it was more than that. “It was like, ‘OK, well, this is my time. There's no way that it'll happen, but let's just try,’” Bader says of posting her first videos. “I thought it would be nice if a few people got to hear my voice, even if it was just a few people.”
Millions of followers later, Bader’s voice is heard—not only by fans, but by major fashion brands. When she posted a video mentioning she’d love to collaborate with Revolve, the brand reached out the very next day. “I was like,
imagine there was a Remi Revolve collection and you had extended sizes,” Bader explains. “I thought maybe it could happen in 10 years.” Instead, it took that one video and two years later, the REMI X REVOLVE capsule collection launched with 15 styles ranging from XXS-4X, all under $150.
REMI X REVOLVE, volume one. Courtesy of Revolve.
For fans manifesting better options for extended-size fashion in 2023, there’s no better time to reach Remi: She’s busy creating the second installment of REMI X REVOLVE to drop in fall 2023, incorporating the insights she’s received. “I care so much about designing things I love, but my followers need to love it, too. The first collection was like ‘OK, I don’t have a lot of feedback, so I’m going to do what I think is best.’ I can do better by looking at what sold out, what didn’t and what my followers want to see more of.”
Rest assured that Bader is studying up. When STYLECASTER asks about the reception to her first line, she rattles off the four best-selling items like they’re tattooed on her eyelids. The pieces that sold out were all black and more basic in style, and while Bader believes they felt “more high quality,” she was surprised by their popularity. “I wanted to take the black bodysuit out, because I thought no one would care about it,” says Bader. “But I get it now, it has ruching around the boobs and feels premium.”
Another interesting takeaway from her first venture: not all of Bader’s fans are hitting the clubs, and she's hearing them. “It was a going-out collection, and my followers said, ‘What if we don’t go out?’ I need to make more options,” says Bader. “It would be cool to make that black bodysuit in more colors.” In addition to more casual styles, colorways and looser fits, Bader specifically mentions the cargo pant trend. “It’s so hard to find good pants for larger people. I posted a video in pink cargo pants, and my followers went crazy. I also wish I could get those same pants in different colors. That’s an example of an item many people are getting—why is it so difficult to find that in my size?”
Dress: Victoria Beckham. Shoes: Jimmy Choo. Earrings: Joanna Laura Constantine
There are two things shoppers can definitely rule out from the second iteration of REMI x REVOLVE: an “ultra, ultra mini skirt,” and different styles for different sizes. Bader is passionate about the pieces being consistent from one end of the size chart to the other. “I'm never going to totally change the style of it because that's the point. All these brands that end up extending their sizing, the straight sizes will be one kind of style, maybe more sexy clothes, and then they make the plus sizes, but it’s different,” Bader says. “I've gone from a size 10 to a size 18 and I still want to wear the same pieces.”
For its part, Revolve is also leaning into the feedback for REMI X REVOLVE part two. “We will also take learnings from the first installment, from fit to launch strategy to the collection inspiration, and apply it to this installment, says Gerona. “We’re all very excited to continue our relationship with Remi. She’s an incredible partner and a true, authentic voice of the next generation.”
Despite the effort Bader is taking to create and advocate for more (and better) extended- size options, she says she isn’t holding her breath when it comes to the rest of the fashion industry, particularly New York Fashion Week, of which she’s been critical. While she’s open to attending February’s shows, she says she’s not hopeful that things will be any more diverse this season. “I don't want to force or have to beg any of these brands or designers to have me come,” Bader says. “I want to. But if I'm not wanted, I don't want to be there.”
Still, Bader sees high points in the industry, naming Tommy Hilfiger’s September 2022 show as a true beacon for optimism. “I felt like I was watching people walk around in New York City of all different sizes, of all different ethnicities. I thought it was so amazing to see old women, old men, and plus size men, which you never see, and I got emotional. And not just one or two plus size women, but a few of them,” Bader explains, reiterating an idea that Bader’s own content seems to reflect for many people: In a time where it’s easy to feel disappointed with the lack of change, there are bright spots.
Bader’s mantra for 2023? Baby steps. “Last year, I made 18 different bullet points of resolutions, and I did two of them. I’m always making to-do lists that are impossible to do, whether it comes to health, working out or my videos,” Bader shares with vulnerability. “I was down on myself in 2022 for not doing enough, and I’m tired of that. When I looked at the whole year, I did so much.”
As we welcome a new year, many people will set goals to build a platform that has even a fraction of the influence of Remi Bader. Some will try to manifest their own brand, their own clothing lines or going viral. There will be those who will try to use mantras and daily journaling and new habits to bring them success in the form of followers, or views, or likes. But Bader’s career is a reminder that the ultimate form of manifesting the life you want simply comes from being yourself and using your voice. And if you happen to wind up with a powerful platform and opportunities to outfit thousands, remember to listen to those who helped get you there. ????
Photographer: Meredith Jenks
Stylist: Brian Meller for The Wall Group
Makeup: Taylor Fitzgerald
Hair: Dina DiPietro for Mane Addicts
Photography Assistant: Bertram Knight
