Instagram Tips & Strategies

How to Become a Fashion Nova Model on Instagram

By Spencer Lanoue
October 31, 2025

Landing a spot as a Fashion Nova model on Instagram is the goal for countless influencers, and it's more achievable than you might think. This isn't about waiting for a lucky break, it's about building a powerful personal brand that Fashion Nova can't ignore. This guide will break down the exact, actionable steps you can take to move from an aspiring creator to a featured #NovaBabe.

Deconstructing the "Fashion Nova Look"

Before you can get on Fashion Nova's radar, you need to understand what they're looking for. It's less about a specific body type or look and more about a vibe. The core of the Fashion Nova brand is confidence. Their models are unapologetic, bold, and comfortable in their own skin, showcasing outfits that are meant to be seen.

Spend some time on their Instagram feed (@fashionnova and @fashionnovacurve). What do you see? You'll notice a few common threads:

  • Unapologetic Confidence: This is the number one trait. Every pose, look, and angle screams self-assurance. Fashion Nova doesn't do timid. Their models own their space and the clothes they wear.
  • Body Positivity: Fashion Nova was built on celebrating all body types. From petite to curve, the brand prioritizes models who proudly show off their figures. This is a massive part of their brand identity.
  • Polished yet Relatable Imagery: The photos are high-quality, but they don't look like they're from a stuffy, high-fashion magazine. The settings are often lifestyle-oriented - a cool cityscape, a trendy restaurant, a stylish apartment - making the clothes feel aspirational yet accessible. The aesthetic is clean, bright, and vibrant.
  • On-Trend Styling: It goes without saying, but knowing how to style their pieces is a must. They look for influencers who can take a matching set or a pair of jeans and make it look like a complete, put-together outfit. Pay attention to accessories, shoes, hair, and makeup.

Your job isn't to copy these models exactly but to embody this same energy with your own unique style. The brand is always looking for fresh faces who fit their confident, bold, and inclusive brand ethos.

Step 1: Build Your Instagram Profile for Success

Your Instagram profile is your digital resume. When a brand scout from Fashion Nova lands on your page, they should instantly understand who you are, what you're about, and why you'd be a perfect fit. Here's how to make a killer first impression.

Optimize Your Bio and Profile

Your bio needs to be direct and professional. Think of it as your elevator pitch.

  • Your Name & Niche: State clearly who you are and what you do. "Fashion & Lifestyle Creator" or "Style Influencer" works perfectly.
  • Location: Adding your city can be helpful for brands looking for creators in specific regions.
  • Contact Information: This is a big one. Have a professional-sounding email address listed clearly in your bio. Brands won't jump through hoops to contact you, make it easy for them.
  • A Great Profile Picture: Use a clear, high-quality headshot or a shot that shows off your style. People should be able to see your face. No sunglasses, no far-away shots.

And it should go without saying, but your profile must be public. Brands can't scout a private account.

High-Quality Content is Non-Negotiable

This is where most people get tripped up. Grainy, poorly lit, or cluttered photos will get you an immediate pass from any serious brand. You don't need an expensive DSLR camera - the latest smartphones have incredible cameras - but you do need to know how to use it.

  • Lighting is Everything: Natural light is your best friend. Shoot outdoors during the "golden hours" (the hour after sunrise or before sunset) for soft, flattering light. If shooting indoors, position yourself facing a large window. Avoid harsh overhead lighting at all costs. A simple ring light can be a game-changer and is an affordable investment.
  • Clean Backgrounds: A messy bedroom or a distracting background will ruin a great outfit. Find simple, aesthetically pleasing backgrounds. This could be a solid-colored wall, an interesting piece of architecture, or a nice outdoor setting.
  • Crisp, Clear Photos: Make sure your photos are in focus. Tap on your phone screen to focus on your face or outfit before you take the shot. After you shoot, use an editing app like Lightroom Mobile (the free version is great), VSCO, or Tezza to make minor adjustments. A slight increase in brightness, contrast, and sharpness can elevate a good photo to a great one. Don't go overboard with filters, aim for a clean, consistent look.
  • Showcase the Fit: Variety is important. Take full-body shots to show the entire outfit, ¾ shots to show detail, and closer shots for hair and makeup. Learn your angles and practice posing. Look at how current #NovaBabes pose for inspiration.

Step 2: The #NovaBabe Strategy: How to Get Noticed by Fashion Nova

Optimizing your profile is the foundation. Now, it's time to actively work to get on Fashion Nova's radar. This requires a consistent and strategic approach.

Wear, Shoot, and Tag Fashion Nova (Authentically)

This is the most direct way to show them you're a genuine fan. You need to invest in a few pieces from their collection. You don't need to buy a whole new wardrobe, but pick a few on-trend items that fit your personal style.

Once you have the clothes, create high-quality content featuring them. When you post, you need to tag them strategically:

  1. Tag in the Photo: Tap "Tag People" and tag @fashionnova and/or @fashionnovacurve directly on the part of the image where you're wearing their clothing. Their social media team actively checks their tagged photos for content to feature.
  2. Mention in the Caption: Mention them again in your caption. A simple "Obsessed with this set from @fashionnova!" works perfectly.
  3. Use Their Hashtags: This is your primary tool for discoverability for them.

Master the Hashtag Game

Hashtags are how brand scouts find new talent. Using the right ones puts your content directly in the feeds they are monitoring. Fashion Nova relies heavily on user-generated content, and hashtags are how they organize and find it.

Your Go-To Fashion Nova Hashtags:

  • #FashionNova: Non-negotiable. Use it on every post where you wear their clothes.
  • #NovaBabe: This is the official hashtag for their community of models and influencers. Using this signals that you want to be a part of their crew.
  • #FashionNovaCurve: If you're a curvy creator, use this tag in addition to the others. Their Curve team often scouts this tag specifically.

You can also add other relevant hashtags related to the specific item, like #NovaJeans or #NovaSeason, if applicable. A good strategy is to mix these brand-specific tags with other B2C and community tags related to your style.

Create High-Potential Video Content

Static photos are great, but in today's social media landscape, video is king. Instagram prioritizes Reels, and they are one of the best ways to get seen by a wider audience, including the Fashion Nova team.

Video content shows off not just the clothes but also your personality and confidence in motion. Some ideas that perform well:

  • Transition Reels: "Get Ready With Me" (GRWM) style videos where you transition from a simple look into your full Fashion Nova outfit.
  • Try-On Hauls: Showcasing a few new pieces you bought and how they fit. Be honest and enthusiastic.
  • Styling Videos: Short videos showing "3 ways to style these Fashion Nova jeans" or how to take a dress from day to night.

Always use trending audio to increase your Reel's reach. Keep videos short, punchy, and engaging. And, of course, follow the same tagging and hashtag strategy you use for your photos.

Engage with the Fashion Nova Community

Don't just post and ghost. Be an active member of the Fashion Nova community.

  • Comment on Fashion Nova's Posts: Leave genuine, thoughtful comments on their posts. Don't just post fire emojis. Respond to their questions, compliment the outfits, and engage with other commenters. This subtle visibility keeps your name popping up.
  • Engage with Other #NovaBabes: Find other influencers who are part of the #NovaBabe program and support their content. Like their photos, leave nice comments, and build genuine connections. The influencer world is smaller than you think, and building a good reputation helps.

What Happens When You Get Noticed?

So what does the journey look like once your hard work pays off? It's usually a gradual process.

  1. The Feature: The first step is often getting your content reposted on one of Fashion Nova's main Instagram pages (or on their stories). They will always tag you. This is the first sign that you're on their radar.
  2. The DM: A brand scout or social media manager will likely slide into your DMs. They might start by asking if they can feature more of your content.
  3. Gifted Collaboration: The next step is often a gifted collaboration. They'll send you a package of free clothes in exchange for a set number of posts and stories. This is your chance to shine and over-deliver.
  4. Paid Partnership: If your content performs well and you're easy to work with, the relationship can evolve into a long-term, paid partnership. This could involve flat rates per post, commission-based links, or a monthly retainer to be an official #NovaBabe.

Final Thoughts

Becoming an Instagram model for a giant brand like Fashion Nova isn't about getting lucky, it's a direct result of consistent strategy, high-quality content, and genuine brand affinity. By emulating their confident vibe, optimizing your profile, and consistently creating great content that tags them properly, you put yourself in the best possible position to get noticed.

Staying consistent with posts, planning content in advance, and managing a growing community is a lot to handle all at once. For my workflow, we use Postbase to streamline everything. Being able to see all my content planned out on a visual calendar and schedule posts for both Instagram and TikTok at the same time is a huge time-saver. It just makes the execution side of being a creator feel less overwhelming so I can focus more on creating.

Spencer's spent a decade building products at companies like Buffer, UserTesting, and Bump Health. He's spent years in the weeds of social media management—scheduling posts, analyzing performance, coordinating teams. At Postbase, he's building tools to automate the busywork so you can focus on creating great content.

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