Hi! I’m Hunter, a University of Florida student studying Media Production, Management and Technology with interests in social media, branding, fashion, beauty, PR, and digital culture.

I created “Wait… That’s Cool Now?” because I kept noticing how ordinary, outdated, or even slightly embarrassing things can suddenly become desirable once they start appearing on celebrities, influencers, and social media.

My project looks at one main question: Who actually makes something “cool”?

Throughout the semester, I am researching how brands, PR, celebrities, influencers, social media platforms, and consumers all play different roles in how trends grow. I am using examples like Starface pimple patches, the comeback of wired headphones, the current bedazzling trend, and Formula 1’s crossover into fashion and beauty.

My research combines academic studies, fashion and beauty reporting, brand and industry sources, TikTok and Instagram observations, Google Trends, and Talkwalker.

My goal is not to prove that one person or group creates every trend. I want to understand where the influence actually happens and how something can go from ordinary to something everyone suddenly seems to want.