Forbes has announced its highly anticipated 2026 '30 Under 30 Art & Style' list, showcasing young creative professionals who are revolutionizing their respective industries through innovative approaches to art, fashion, and digital media. The diverse group of honorees includes entrepreneurs, artists, designers, and social media influencers who have achieved remarkable success before turning 30.
Among the standout honorees is Claudia Sulewski, 29, who has successfully transformed her decade-and-a-half journey as a content creator into a thriving beauty empire. Starting her first YouTube beauty channel at just 13 years old in 2009, Sulewski has cultivated a loyal following of 6 million fans across various platforms. In 2023, she launched Cyklar, a body care brand that offers premium products including body creams priced at $29, oil-infused body washes at $35, and roll-on fragrances at $24. Despite self-funding the initial launch, which she describes as "the biggest risk and investment I had ever taken on," Forbes estimates that Cyklar will generate $15 million in revenue this year.
The performing arts are well represented on this year's list, with American Ballet Theater principal dancer Chloe Misseldine, 24, earning recognition for her exceptional performances in classical productions. Throughout 2025, Misseldine has captivated audiences with her leading roles in prestigious ballets including "Giselle" and "Swan Lake," establishing herself as one of the most promising talents in contemporary ballet.
Contemporary artist Sasha Gordon, 27, has made significant waves in the fine art world with her surrealist self-portraits. Her recent solo exhibition at the prestigious David Zwirner gallery in New York City drew packed crowds in September, cementing her status as a rising star in the contemporary art scene. Meanwhile, visual development artist Kat Tsai, 29, has seen her creative vision come to life through her environmental design work on Netflix's "KPop Demon Hunters," which received an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature.
Several honorees have successfully identified and capitalized on gaps within their respective markets. Photographer Cole Ferguson, 26, has built an impressive portfolio by specializing in sports photography, working with high-profile athletes including Olympic snowboarder Shaun White and Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani since his teenage years. Brooklyn-based artist Teya Kepila, 24, has transformed her ceramics hobby into "The Turmeric Times," a multifaceted brand that combines an online store with social media presence, attracting approximately 500,000 Instagram followers and securing partnerships with luxury brands such as Dior, David Yurman, and Nike.
The luxury fashion sector features prominently among this year's honorees, with Carly Stern, 27, making a remarkable career transition from pursuing a master's degree in finance to becoming a high-profile luxury fashion stylist. Her company now generates more than $12 million in annual revenue, a success she attributes to her early networking efforts. "For four months straight, I did nothing but go to lunches with anybody I could in the fashion industry," Stern recalls about her initial business development phase.
Olivia Cleary, 28, represents another luxury success story with The Clearly Collective, her brand specializing in silk scarves inspired by college campus architecture and iconic structures from locations ranging from Newport, Rhode Island, to Lake Como, Italy. Starting with just a $150 investment, Cleary has bootstrapped her business to achieve over $1 million in annual revenue, securing prestigious clients including JP Morgan, L'Oréal, Delta, and the U.S. Olympics team.
Social media continues to play a crucial role in the success of young creatives, as demonstrated by several list members. Luke Meagher, 28, has built a substantial following under his fashion review persona "HauteLeMode," growing his YouTube channel from a high school project to nearly one million followers. His influence has led to collaborations with luxury brands including Gucci, Jimmy Choo, and Saint Laurent. Similarly, Marco Zamora, 29, made the bold decision to leave his engineering career in 2023 to pursue interior design full-time, transforming his projects into engaging content that has attracted nearly 2 million Instagram followers and over 1 million TikTok followers.
The selection process for the 30 Under 30 Art & Style list involved a rigorous evaluation by industry leaders, including celebrity stylist KJ Moody, illustrator Angelica Hicks, designer Simone Rocha (herself an Under 30 alumna), and Isabella Burley, former Editor-in-Chief of Dazed and current CMO at Acne Studios. The 2026 list demonstrates Forbes' commitment to diversity, with 59% of honorees identifying as people of color and 63% being women. All selected individuals were 29 or younger as of December 31, 2025, and had never previously been named to any Forbes Under 30 list in the U.S., Europe, or Asia regions.
