How do you know none of us work in the industry? That's a massive sweeping statement.
And seriously, you think we're writing this because we're jealous of the perks? WOW. You are deluded. (Your post also made me roar with laughter - thank you for that!)
For my part, and having worked in and around the fashion industry for almost two decades, I've been aware from the outset about brands and businesses influence on various IG-ers. IG, which started as a photo-sharing platform has gone the same way as magazines, it's all about the advertisers products and those with the most persuasive PRs and generous gifting regimes.
At least when you're buying a magazine you know that you're buying. into. Those who are using IG as a means to make money need to be completely transparent, and many are not.
As for HW's daily outfits, she's a walking advertisement - I think you'd have to be stupid not to realise this. As for Boden's relationship with Red, I expect most if not all who read magazines know that the clothes are featured because it's paid advertising albeit in the form of generous discounts, adverts, freebies of some form. (The September Issue film and Lucinda Chamber's resignation letter blew the lid off that for those who still hadn't realised that advertisers have to be prominently featured). I remember a ridiculously gushing Red article as few years ago about Johnny Boden that was blatantly an advertorial badly disguised as a profile. However, haven't those kind of relationships always been prevalent in the fashion media, and what fashion magazines and clothing labels been built on? On a grander scale, Catherine Deneuve was a living breathing walking advert for Yves Saint Laurent, and Sofia Copola for Louis Vuitton (under Marc Jacobs).
If IG is 'media', then those who choose to work in this field, make a living from it and create content for financial gain need to be held accountable in the same way magazines, newspapers and online media. Hell, even the Guardian now states that they use affiliate links. So should IG-ers. It's that simple.
(As an aside, I don't think it's a coincidence that the dreadful and rather disingenuous term 'gifting' rose to prominence via IG. It's such an ambiguous term, and lets face it, nothing is given away for free and in return for nothing, particularly where there's an opportunity to make some money).