Mystique and the Modern It-Girl

The concept of 'it-girls' has been around for decades - celebs whose style and the splashy headlines about them have captivated thousands of people, with the most effortlessly idealistic lifestyles straight out of a Pinterest board.

The idealization of celebrities and influencers is complex. Being glorified obsessively, or until they become relatable icons with their every move constantly being documented, it makes sense that they'd want privacy. That's where the mystique comes in.

via Instagram @lilyrose_depp

Alexa Demie rose to fame after playing Maddy Perez in Euphoria. While Maddy and Alexa are both iconic, we know everything and nothing about Alexa. She is one of the few mainstream celebrities whose private lives make people want to know more, come up with conspiracy theories, and even wonder if she has time-traveled. Emma Chamberlain's documentation of her life earned her millions of followers. It made her one of the most popular YouTubers, whose every move people try to replicate as an aesthetic. The element of mystique can make anyone interesting as long as they know just how much information to give out. But it makes me wonder... What does it take for celebrities and influencers to be viewed as the modern It-Girl?

via Instagram @emmachamberlain

It's hard to picture what the recipe for a perfect It-Girl is. Still, their sense of style, elegant nonchalance, and strategic documentation of everything and nothing make the concept rather intriguing. Whether it's Lily-Rose Depp being labeled Instagram's newest It-Girl in 2015 or Bella Hadid's effortlessly glamorous style, what makes people so interested in their lives?

Coco Chanel said, "A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous." Lily-Rose Depp, one of the most influential young people in fashion, embodies that perfectly with her French style and elegance. She's also one of the people in fashion who've talked about battling an eating disorder. Bella Hadid also opened up about the pressure she felt while trying to protect the image she thought people wanted from her as a model.

From the biggest supermodels facing pressure to maintain perfection to influencers feeling pressured to keep up their images as It-Girls, we can't help but turn to curious fans who go to the extremes to idolize their favorite icons. By putting these young women on a pedestal, are we unintentionally contributing to our favorite celebrities falling into patterns of mental health issues and image issues? And more importantly, where will we draw the line between real life and the glorification of aesthetic social media feeds?

Strike Out,

Rajshri Bhardwaj

Boca Raton

Rajshri Bhardwaj is a Contributing Writer for Strike Magazine Boca. You can reach her at rajshri1304@gmail.com