Seth Andrew Silver
This is part of a special series, presented by US Lifestyle Group, that focuses on a diversity of American social media voices impacting our culture.
This Cali-based husband, father, artist and teacher can be found on Instagram rocking his truly iconic type of cool.
Describe your followers.
The range of people who have chosen to be visually assaulted, haha, by my social media presence is pretty diverse. It consists of a stew of ages, races, nationalities, genders, social status. That being said, I believe the typical person who follows appreciates a decent beard with a genuine silver fox appeal, vibrant traditional tattoos, the look of a cool style, motorcycle culture, creativity and the musings of a hard working, middle-aged, American dude.
What is the key to maintaining an influencer status?
The biggest thing is staying true to myself and having a genuine presence.
I don’t represent brands that I don't believe in or stand behind or would never actually use in my daily life. I'm consistent with what gets posted on social media.
People follow accounts and feeds for specific reasons. I believe they want to see content that's relevant to the idea of what they signed up for and I try to stick to that: give them what they are after. You have to know yourself, know your brand. You have to be consistent and true to it.
What shapes personal style?
My style is simple, clean, classic and functional for who I am and what I do. I wear a lot of black — I guess that's the temperamental artist in me! I like a bit of a care-free, ripped, torn and worn look. A vintage American, hard-working, hands dirty, masculine feel.
How would you describe the current U.S. style?
That's a hard one! I don't know if I could pin down a single American style. In today's society, there truly is something for everyone, and as social mores and norms become more relaxed, people are all over the place expressing themselves with unique styles. If I had to blanket respond, I'd say current trends tend to be casual, quick, comfortable...still, a good pair of worn jeans, a t-shirt and a light jacket are never out of style here in the states.
When have you used your social media influence to impact social issues?
Occasionally, I do take the opportunity to address social issues.
As an artist I have created a number of pieces that confront topics addressing police brutality, all lives matter, gun violence, hunger, disease and gender inequality.
To share my views, I have shamelessly used social media to visually communicate to anyone who will look and read what I put out there in hopes that I can inspire viewers to think, feel supported, be inspired, maybe even be a part of positive shifts in society.
Who has the biggest influence on you and why?
Without a doubt my biggest influence is my wife. I trust her, I believe in her. She's super savvy about style, and what's cool — it helps that she has the same style as me! She's my best friend, she gets me and she doesn't put up with my shit! My ride or die.