Edd Banu on the scene

The influencer from Bucharest has created its own aesthetic with a refined retro vibe

We met the California-based creator who recently moved to San Diego, for a while. Read his debut interview, only for Connan Press.

Connan Press: Good morning Edd! Great to finally meet with you… What inspired you to start your journey as a male influencer with a queer tone, and how has your content evolved since then?

Edd Banu: Hey there ! Nice to meet you ! “My journey” on social media has begun during the quarantine when I was just a high school student. I posted a photo montage and after that I started posting daily. So, I could say that everything I do now on socials started with a “I’m bored, I am going to post on TikTok” type of moment. Currently, my impact on social media is based on fashion, edgy looks and transitions and my niche is inspired by an italian band called Maneskin. These platforms gave me a voice, they allowed me to express myself in a way I would never thought is possible, turning me from the boy who used to cage himself to a confident voice who’s trying to inspire the teens today.

C.P.: San Diego is known for its vibrant fashion scene. How has living in this city influenced your style and fashion choices as a digital creator?

E.B.: San Diego is very different compared to Bucharest, which is the city I usually live in. It is the second time I live in San Diego during the summer and the perfect weather combined with the vibe of this city inspires me to explore more areas of fashion. Right now I feel the croptops&jorts type of looks, but it’s probably just a phase because my style changes a lot.

C.P.: As a male influencer breaking stereotypes in the fashion & beauty industry, what advice would you give to other young people who want to explore and express their creativity through inspirational lifestyle content?

E.B.: I believe that clothes have no gender. If you are a man and you want to wear a dress or to paint your nails, go for it. Stereotypes are boring and they limit us. I truly hope for a world where people will no longer judge. It’s painful to see young people unable to articulate themselves freely, constrained by the people who refuse to evolve. So if you are reading this, my advice is to grab your favorite clothes, listen to your favorite music and walk confident on the street. Some of them might stare at you while others will love what your look. You don’t have to please everyone. 

C.P.: Fashion and lifestyle trends are constantly changing… How do you stay ahead of the curve and keep your audience engaged with fresh and innovative content?

E.B.: As a content creator, I have experienced a various type of content. Besides my niche, sometimes I jump up on a trend, which can be fun and engaging. I try to blend trends with innovation so my followers won’t get bored of me.

C.P.: Embracing your authentic self is a crucial aspect of your personal brand. Can you share an anecdote where this authenticity has deeply resonated with your audience?

E.B.: Even though it is not 100% authentic, since I take my inspiration from the Måneskin members looks, people know me as the guy who wears eyeliner. Many times I’ve been called Måneskin on the street.

C.P.: California offers a diverse and inclusive community. How do you use your platform to promote and celebrate LGBT-friendly styles within the fashion sphere?

E.B.: I try to create a safe space on my socials for everyone. Even though the LGBTQ-friendly community probably resonates much more with what I post on TikTok or Instagram, I really try to make people understand that if a man is well dressed doesn’t mean he’s gay. He just got rid of the toxic masculinity and those stereotypes I was talking about early. 

C.P.: Collaboration is essential in the influencer world. Are there any local brands or fellow influencers in California or even Europe that you’ve partnered with recently, and how do you believe these partnerships contribute to your growth?

E.B.: In California I haven’t had the change to collaborate with other content creators or local brands yet, but I really want to! Since I started to create content I collaborated with other creators who were doing pov tiktoks, that in the beggining. Later on, I begun to be approached by various fashion brands. My most recent collaboration was with Adidas, but I’ve also had other partnerships with small brand, especially in the fashion area. Certainly, collaboration between content creators are beneficial; they make us more seen by people which is really important for us.

C.P.: Being a digital creator means facing both positive and negative feedback. How do you handle criticism, and what advice would you give to other content creators dealing with online scrutiny?

E.B.: As I mentioned above, you can’t please everyone. Indeed, some choose to judge instead of ignoring, but that’s not mine or other creators problem. Back then when I just started to record TikToks, hate comments kinda affected me, but now I’ve realised that no matter how hard you try, you can’t be perfect for everyone. 

You can follow Edd Banu on Instagram.