Reportedly influenced some material (5)
I believe the answer is:
suede
'some material' is the definition.
(suede is a kind of material)
'reportedly influenced' is the wordplay.
'reportedly' shows a homophone (sound like).
'influenced' becomes 'swayed' (swaying is a kind of influencing).
'swayed' sounds like 'SUEDE'.
(Other definitions for suede that I've seen before include "Soft leather with one side napped" , "Soft, velvety leather" , "Hide from kids" , "leather material" , "Undressed kidskin" .)