How Mainstream Media Shapes Fashion and Challenges Individuality in PR

Written by Shannen Gotay

How Pop Culture Drives Mass Style, and What That Means for Public Relations

Television has always influenced culture, but in today’s digital world, that influence spreads faster than ever. With the release of Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette, audiences aren’t just watching a retelling of a famous couple, they’re trying to recreate it. The new series from Ryan Murphy has sparked a huge renewed interest in the style of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, and it’s starting bigger conversations about how television shapes trends, especially in fashion and public relations. Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy has always been known as a fashion icon. Her minimal, effortless style, neutral colors, clean silhouettes, and simple pieces, still feel relevant today. But what’s different now is how quickly influence spreads. As soon as early clips and on-set photos from the show hit social media back in 2025, the reaction was immediate. TikTok creators started breaking down her outfits, Pinterest boards filled with “Carolyn-inspired” looks, and brands began pushing minimalist pieces that matched the aesthetic.

This reaction highlights something we talk about a lot in PR: the media doesn’t just reflect culture anymore, it actively shapes it.

Television as a PR Powerhouse

From a PR perspective, television is one of the strongest drivers of public influence. Unlike ads, which people know are trying to sell something, entertainment feels more natural. When people emotionally connect to a story or a character, they’re more likely to adopt what they see, especially visually. With Love Story, nostalgia plays a big role. The show taps into people’s fascination with romance and tragedy, but it’s the fashion that people actually bring into their everyday lives. Viewers aren’t just watching the story, they’re participating in it by dressing the part. That’s where PR and fashion really overlap. Once a show creates a viral aesthetic, brands and PR teams jump in fast. They push trend stories, curate “inspired

by” edits, and align campaigns with whatever people are already talking about. At that point, the line between entertainment and marketing becomes really thin.

The Rise of Replica Culture

One of the biggest side effects of media driven trends right now is what feels like a rise in replica culture, with people recreating existing looks instead of developing their own style. If you scroll through social media, you’ll see constant side by side comparisons: Carolyn in the 90s next to influencers recreating the same outfits today. Inspiration has always existed in fashion, but the scale is so much larger now, with trends spreading globally within hours. Instead of adding their own twist, people often recreate looks almost exactly. For PR, this creates an interesting challenge. On one hand, replication shows influence. When large groups of people copy a look, it proves cultural impact, which brands love. But on the other

hand, it raises questions about originality. If everyone is following the same aesthetic, what actually stands out?

What This Means for the Future of PR

The reaction to Love Story shows how quickly media can shape trends today. Television doesn’t just introduce ideas anymore, it accelerates them. As audiences become more visually driven, the connection between entertainment and PR will only keep growing.

For PR students, there are a few clear takeaways from this moment in the media:

1. Television can influence audiences faster than traditional marketing

2. Visual storytelling drives real consumer behavior

3. Mass trends can sometimes come at the cost of individuality

4. PR has to balance relevance with authenticity

As Love Story continues to gain attention, it can be seen as a real world example of how powerful media influence can be. A single show has already reshaped conversations around fashion and identity. In today’s digital world, the real question isn’t just how trends start, it’s whether people will follow them or find ways to make them their own.