Picture this: a generation of trailblazers under 30 shaking up the worlds of art and fashion, not just with bold ideas but with blockbuster successes that redefine what's possible. These young innovators aren't waiting for permission—they're building empires, winning awards, and captivating millions. But here's where it gets controversial: in an age of viral fame, are social media stardom and genuine creativity always a perfect match, or do they sometimes dilute the art itself? Dive in to discover the stories behind this year's Forbes 30 Under 30 Art & Style honorees, and see how they're proving that age is just a number in the realm of imagination and influence.
From a visionary transforming iconic university buildings into elegant silk accessories to a talented artist shaping the visual world of a hit Netflix series, these 30 creative minds are leading the charge into uncharted territories of expression.
Authored by Simone Melvin, McKenna Leavens, and Ethan Davison
Claudia Sulewski has been a fixture on the digital scene since she launched her beauty channel at just 13 back in 2009. Now, at 29, she's amassed a loyal following of 6 million fans online—a platform she's leveraged brilliantly to introduce her own line of products. With the beauty market overflowing with skincare and makeup options, Sulewski zeroed in on body care as her niche. In 2023, she founded Cyklar, offering indulgent body creams for $29, soothing oil-enriched body washes at $35, and convenient roll-on fragrances priced at $24. 'I poured my own savings into that initial rollout, and it felt like the riskiest gamble of my life,' Sulewski reflects. That leap paid off handsomely: Forbes projects her venture could generate $15 million in sales this year. Beyond Cyklar, she's parlayed her online presence into lucrative collaborations with brands like Onitsuka Tiger and YSL, plus acting roles in the 2022 movie I Love My Dad and the Apple TV series Shrinking.
(Image credit: Sebastian Nevols for Forbes)
Claudia is just one standout in this year's 30 Under 30 Art & Style lineup, with many others enjoying breakout moments in 2025. Chloe Misseldine, 24, has earned widespread acclaim since joining the American Ballet Theater as a principal dancer, dazzling audiences with her lead performances in classics like Giselle and Swan Lake this season. Sasha Gordon, 27, a contemporary artist, recently unveiled her debut solo exhibition at New York's David Zwirner gallery in September, drawing huge crowds eager to explore her dreamlike self-portraits. Meanwhile, Kat Tsai, 29, a visual development specialist, is reaping the rewards of her hard work in the animation world, having crafted the stunning environmental designs for Netflix's KPop Demon Hunters—a series that snagged an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature.
'Creativity is essential to me, like something I couldn't imagine living without,' Tsai shares. 'Through my filmmaking, I get to be part of something bigger than myself, creating experiences that resonate with and affect countless people.'
And this is the part most people miss: how these talents are filling gaps in oversaturated industries, turning personal passions into profitable ventures. Cole Ferguson, 26, a photographer who's been capturing pro athletes on the move since his teen years, has shot icons like Olympic snowboarder Shaun White and baseball star Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Brooklyn-based artist Teya Kepila, 24, transformed her love for pottery into a full-blown enterprise called The Turmeric Times—a versatile brand encompassing an online shop and social media presence where she showcases her ceramics and lifestyle vibes to around 500,000 Instagram followers. She's also teamed up with giants like Dior, David Yurman, and Nike.
Carly Stern, 27, pivoted from a master's program in finance to launch a high-end fashion styling business for elite clients, now raking in over $12 million annually. 'I spent four solid months networking over lunches with anyone in fashion I could meet,' Stern recalls of her early hustle to get her company thriving. In a similar vein, Olivia Cleary, 28, established The Clearly Collective, specializing in silk scarves that draw inspiration from architectural landmarks, from college campuses to serene spots like Newport, Rhode Island, and Lake Como in Italy. Starting with just a $150 bootstrap, she's scaled it to more than $1 million in yearly sales, with clients including JP Morgan, L’Oréal, Delta, and the U.S. Olympics.
Social media, of course, plays a pivotal role in empowering today's young creators to monetize their talents. Luke Meagher, 28, a fashion and culture commentator known by his handle HauteLeMode, kicked off his YouTube journey in high school and now boasts nearly a million subscribers, partnering with luxury brands such as Gucci, Jimmy Choo, and Saint Laurent. After ditching his engineering career in 2023, Marco Zamora, 29, chased his interior design dreams by showcasing his projects on Instagram (where he has close to 2 million followers) and TikTok (over 1 million).
The Under 30 lists celebrate innovators and entrepreneurs 29 years old or younger as of December 31, 2025, who haven't appeared on prior U.S., Europe, or Asia editions.
Through an open nomination process, each list is evaluated by a panel of experts. For the 2026 Art & Style category, the judges included celebrity stylist KJ Moody; illustrator Angelica Hicks; designer Simone Rocha, a past Under 30 honoree; and Isabella Burley, former Editor-in-Chief of Dazed and current CMO at Acne Studios. Among the selected creators, 59% identify as people of color, and 63% are women.
This year's Art & Style list was curated by Simone Melvin, McKenna Leavens, and Ethan Davison. To explore the full Art & Style roster, visit here (https://www.forbes.com/30-under-30/2026/art-style), and for comprehensive Under 30 coverage, check here (https://www.forbes.com/30-under-30/2026/).
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What do you think—does the explosion of social media truly democratize creativity, giving everyone a shot at fame and fortune, or does it create an illusion of success that favors influencers over artisans? Is there room for debate here? And how do you feel about the idea that true artistic impact might sometimes come from quiet dedication rather than viral buzz? Drop your opinions in the comments below—let's spark a conversation!
