We’re excited to share something new: Rings - an award from Instagram that’s all about celebrating those who aren’t afraid to take creative chances and do it their way. Those who bring people together over their creativity, and deserve recognition.

Rings isn’t about honoring a specific type of content - it honors a spirit. One theme we hear from creators all over the world is the excitement and nervousness that come with making something and putting it out into the world. It takes courage to chase an idea, quiet that inner critic, and create anyway. This award is for the creators who don’t just participate in culture - but shift it, break through whatever barrier holds them back to realize their ambitions. Because every act of creativity, big or small, can lead to something great.

So, how do you even assess creativity? To figure that out, we brought together a panel of judges - legendary creatives from around the world. They got to nominate their favorite creators and vote for who they think deserves a spot on the final list. The winners will receive a physical ring and a digital ring on their Instagram profile.

We partnered with Grace Wales Bonner, a leading voice in fashion and culture, to design the ring to be awarded to each winner. Grace’s commitment to creative excellence across her multi-disciplinary practice reflects the spirit of Rings, so this collaboration was a special way to unveil the award. We hope Rings inspires even more creativity and reminds us all to take creative chances.

When we thought about how to bring this to life, we wanted winners to be celebrated in a way that’s uniquely Instagram. We know the profile is an important space for creators to show who they are and what they’re about - so when winners post a story, an exclusive gold ring will show up around their profile picture, in place of the usual Stories ring. This will show up across the app - on their profile and in the Stories section in Feed. Winners will also have the ability to customize their profile backdrop color and put their own twist on the “like” button - helping fuel their creativity in the year ahead.

We can’t wait to introduce the very first Rings winners soon and celebrate their creative courage in the year to come.

Introducing the 2025 Rings Winners

We’re honored to unveil our 2025 Rings winners, and we're thrilled to celebrate extraordinary creativity of all kinds from all around the world. We look forward to celebrating their creative courage in the year to come.

• @colebennett: A music video auteur, his DIY ethos has transformed the visual worlds of rap stars and emerging artists alike.
• @gabrielomoses: Redefining visual narratives with a blend of fashion, music and memory, his cinematic stories treads a line between personal history and cultural narrative.
• @ninagawamika: Color, psychedelia and spectacle. Mika invites us into her exhibitions, film sets, and kaleidoscopic life through her signature lens.
• @nigelsylvester: A BMX icon redefining what it means to ride, his GO series where he rides across the globe has catapulted him to the forefront of the sports world.
• @akiandkoichi: A couple redefining the rules of style, their Instagram has grown into an inspirational space where they collaborate with the biggest brands in fashion.
• @twolostkids: Blending fashion, art, culture, and social commentary, the creative sister duo from Brazil have created their own aesthetic with a VHS-tinged lens.
• @oliviadeano: Effortlessly blending warmth and honesty, Olivia’s soulful take on pop music is a glimmering examination of love in its many forms.
• @omgadrian: A film school guru. Adrian is a self-taught director and photographer, breaking down everything from shot lists, to edit workflows and preventing burnout.
• @linda_lomelino: Dark, romantic and full of desserts this photographer, baker and four-time author is known for transforming baked goods into beautifully, mysterious scenes.
• @tyshawn: The street skater who defies gravity with explosive energy and unmistakable style, Tyshawn is known for pushing boundaries on and off the board.
• @dollysingh: As the mastermind behind the Best Worst Date series, Dolly Singh has pioneered the micro drama on Instagram. She dons many hats: actor, writer, director, producer, and digital creator.
• @djagonline: London Streets have never sounded so good. “DJ AG” quit corporate life in 2023 and set up decks outside tube stations, turning city streets into vibrant stages that he brings to life on Instagram.
• @zarnagarg: A fearless voice of comedy. Zarna is the world’s best almost-therapist, with her sharp wit, unapologetic humor and hilarious takes on family and culture.
• @golloria: Her shade inclusivity, honest reviews and representation has influenced global brands to expand their shade ranges and uphold higher standards for representation in beauty.
• @sebastianjern: The master of tiny worlds known for building cinematic miniature sets, Sebastian brings hyper detailed, big screen magic to Instagram.
• @futuradosmil: One of graffiti’s original visionaries. Breaking from lettering into pure abstraction, he blends cultural influence with cosmic energy.
• @laufey: The Icelandic-Chinese composer, singer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist invites a new generation to discover the emotional depths of jazz.
• @twinshadban: The siblings behind Dubai’s most striking high-fashion looks, these twin creators are known for their synchronized aesthetic and have quickly become a global fashion presence.
• @mimles: One of the most visually distinctive and artistic beauty creators. Surreal, illusionary looks transform her face into a work of art. Now internationally acclaimed with a devoted following.
• @lifeonfilm: A trio capturing life like cinema through the eyes of strangers with a disposable camera, Life on Film is redefining unscripted storytelling on Instagram.
• @ariatinsta: The musician who wears his studio on the streets gives us spontaneous jam sessions, raw performances from total strangers, and moments that emerge from passing interactions.
• @briancantstopeating: A trusted map for your city's tastiest gems, Brian’s 50 states 50 food highlights local cuisine and the story of the people and cultures behind it.
• @cbrickley603: The NBA trainer who has redefined the grind, Chris is turning training into culture on Instagram by merging basketball, fashion, and music.
• @elyse_myers: This is unfiltered humor coming to you daily and direct. Elyse is known as "The Internet's Best Friend" who turned a viral video about a first date into a full-time career as a writer and comedian.
• @thehomesteadingrd: Whether she's boiling down maple syrup, foraging, hunting to fill her freezer, or raising chickens, her daily wisdom spreads the joy of the outdoors and the world of homesteading.