An analysis of conservative women as new culture intermediary (Influencers) from a Bourdieuian perspective

Using Pierre Bourdieu's sociological theoretical framework, the concept of the new cultural intermediary, defined as a fraction of the social class known as the new bourgeoisie, is conceptualized in the study as "Islamic/conservative new cultural intermediary." The positions of highly followed conservative influencers in the online sphere are explained based on Bourdieu's concepts of field, capital, and habitus, highlighting how they establish their subjectivities and spheres of influence. The study focuses on how the social status position created by conservative influencer women in the role of new cultural intermediaries is shaped by various types of capital they acquire in the online realm. It explores how they express their habitus, formed through the capital obtained online, and the distinctions in their relationship with the modern, public, and secular sphere in the online domain through lifestyle presentations. The study emphasizes fluid modern lifestyles, self-constructions, and secular trends in achieving public performances in the online sphere. Additionally, it seeks to understand the impact of the newly formed habitus, generated through lifestyle presentations online, on the followers of conservative influencer women and their roles in societal change. Therefore, the study employs a "mixed methods" approach, extensively analyzing the interactions of conservative influencer women and their followers in the online domain. The field research results, along with the main themes identified in the qualitative findings, thoroughly evaluate the dimensions of religiosity and secularity, modern modest fashion trends, the influence of fashion, and the impact on lifestyles through social media presentations. The study concludes by explaining the influence of conservative influencer women on their follower base through qualitative findings, with quantitative data indicating the highest correlation factors in the perception of cultural intermediaries, influence, model identification, and tendencies toward consumer culture.