Instagram Influencer Spotlight On: Quinton Faulkner @no_wheaties1

1) Tell us a little about yourself. What are you doing now and where do you come from?

I’m Quinton Faulkner; a bi-coastal (LA & ATL) based freelance creative director and stylist. I’m a country boy gone Hollywood. I spent my younger years becoming one of the most prolific high school football players the state of North Carolina has ever seen. I’m now regarded as one of the most influential fashion icons to come out of North Carolina. With initial aims to hone a career within the sporting field, having graduated with a BS in Sports Studies & Business at East Carolina University, it wasn’t long after graduating that I realized my true calling was leading me on a very different journey. A trip to Los Angeles became the eye opener a young country boy needed, exposing my mind and inner creative genius to the world of art, fashion and music. Over the last three years, I have since developed influence across LA, Miami and Atlanta markets having been involved in LA Fashion Week, Art Basel and working with some of the most fashion forward artists within the Atlanta music scene. Fashion and the business are second nature to me, which has led to me working with the likes of I-D Magazine, Nike, G-Star RAW, Sony Music and BRICK Magazine. 2017 now leads me to pulling together the strengths of all my talents as a Creative Director. Not only brand consulting and styling, I now lend my creative mind into the world of apparel customization and music video directing.

2) What are your topics of interest? What do you post on Instagram the most?

Fashion and music are my true passions, so a majority of my feed consists of topics related that. I also incorporate other things I find aesthetically pleasing (art, food, architecture, etc.)

3) How did your Instagram name come about?

I get asked this question a lot actually. My Instagram name derives from recording artist, Big K.R.I.T.’s, track “No Wheaties” off his 2010 project K.R.I.T. Wuz Here. You’ve got to listen to the track for yourself to determine why it’s meaning is so impactful. I’ve had the same social handle on all social media since I started and I refuse to change it now, its apart of my branding.

4) What are some apps you use to edit your photos? Share with us your photo-editing routine!

I only really use VSCO Cam, I’m not one to spend hours editing photos, I appreciate raw uncut content the most.

5) Any Instagrammers whom you really like? Which Instagrammer inspires you the most?

I don’t really pay too much attention to what other people have going. Social media is all about perception, people only show you what they want you to see which is 9 times out of 10 something great going on in their lives. Nothing is real anymore, its a curated glimpse. I’ve got enough on my own plate and have learned that the more you pay attention to others the more you tend compare yourself to them. Comparing your life to that of others can be as Rick James would say “one helluva drug”

6) If there’s one thing your fellow Instagrammers just gotta try now, what’s it gonna be?

I’m a consultant, so trade secrets I tend to keep to myself unless I’m getting paid to do so.

7) What’s your favorite part about being an influencer?

It came organically, effortless if you will. I didn’t seek out to be coined an “influencer” this title has chosen me. If you are dope at what you do people will take notice, if you aren’t eventually you will be exposed as a fraud and pushed out the scene. I don’t focus on remaining relevant, I rather spend my time creating timeless content that will surpass the test of time and any meaningless title.

8) What are some of your top tips to brands for running campaigns? How do you maintain authenticity?

For those companies wondering how they can improve their campaigns and/or roll outs contact me and then we can talk.

9) What would your advice be on the importance of quality and original content?

The modern man has been around for some 200,000 + years. With that being said, we’re getting to a point that original ideas are hard to come by. My advice would be, focus on creating the most organic piece of work possible. If someone has done it before you, make it better. If someone hasn’t, be the one that sets the bar. At the end of the day, contrary to popular belief intimation and appropriation are not flattering.

10) What do you like best about partnering with brands?

I love watching an idea that I’ve had stuck in my head or on a sheet of paper come to life. Brands are vehicles to the disposable income to power your dreams and put them into motion. And whoever says they don’t enjoy receiving free product is a liar.

Topics:

• Architecture
• Art
• Fashion
• Film, Music & Books
• Travel

Country:

United States of America