Meghan Markle departing the Royal Family is among 2020’s MOST influential moments in fashion

The Duchess of Sussex‘s ‘Megxit’ wardrobe and Princess Beatrice‘s vintage wedding dress were the two royal fashion moments that generated the biggest buzz this year, data reveals. 

Meghan Markle, 39, prompted a surge in online searches when she stepped out in a string of stunning designer ensembles for her final engagements as a senior working royal in March. 

Princess Beatrice had a similar impact when she picked a vintage Norman Hartnel dress belonging to the Queen for her secret wedding to Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in July.

The findings were released by online fashion platform Lyst, which analysed the searches of over 100 million shoppers for its annual Year In Fashion Report. 

Meghan Markle, 39, prompted a surge in online searches when she stepped out in a string of stunning designer ensembles for her final engagements as a senior working royal in March. Her final showstopping look was a green Emilia Wickstead dress, worn on March 9 to the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey, pictured. The label saw a 286 per cent increase in searches as a result

According to Lyst, Princess Beatrice wearing a vintage gown by Norman Hartnel increased searches for vintage wedding dresses. Pictured: Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi at their wedding in July

According to Lyst, Princess Beatrice wearing a vintage gown by Norman Hartnel increased searches for vintage wedding dresses. Pictured: Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi at their wedding in July 

The 2020 fashion moments that REALLY made an impact 

 JANUARY 19TH

Red Carpet (Vintage) Fashion

JANUARY 26TH

The Billie Eilish Effect

MARCH 30TH

A Durag In Vogue

MARCH 31ST

Duke And Duchess depart

APRIL 5TH

#PillowChallenge Takes Over Instagram

MAY 4TH

Met Gala Goes Online

 JULY 17TH

Princess Beatrice wears vintage

JULY 21ST

Transgender Visibility

AUGUST 17TH

Michelle Obama’s Call to “Vote”

SEPTEMBER 20TH

A Virtual Emmy Awards

OCTOBER 2ND

Another Savage Show

NOVEMBER 7TH

The History-Making pantsuit

The Duchess of Sussex made headlines around the world when she chose a series of bold outfits for her final royal engagements in March. 

Among them was a stunning blue Victoria Beckham dress, worn on March 5 to the Endeavor Awards, which sparked a 137 per cent increase in searches for the designer.

It was followed by a 227 per cent spike in searches for Safiyaa after the Duchess wore a breathtaking red dress from the brand two days later. 

Her final showstopping look was a green Emilia Wickstead dress, worn on March 9 to the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey. The label saw a 286 per cent increase in searches as a result. 

Meanwhile Princess Beatrice sparked a surge in interest in vintage wedding dress following her low-key nuptials. 

The secondhand and sustainable choice caused a surge in searches for the term ‘vintage wedding dress’, which were up 297 per cent in the 48 hours following the royal wedding. 

This stunning blue Victoria Beckham dress, worn on March 5 to the Endeavor Awards, which sparked a 137 per cent increase in searches for the designer

This stunning blue Victoria Beckham dress, worn on March 5 to the Endeavor Awards, which sparked a 137 per cent increase in searches for the designer

Lyst also revealed the 10 high profile fashionistas who were the most influential in terms of searches, sales, news coverage and social media mentions over the last 12 months.

The Duchess of Cambridge was the only royal to appear on the list, which was dominated by musicians including Harry Styles, Beyonce and Lizzo.  

Having ranked 11th place last year, Kate Middleton managed to climb the ranks to 9th place this year as trendsetters gushed about her timeless basics.

However, the most powerful dresser this year has been revealed as Harry Styles with fellow musicians including Beyonce, and Kim Namjoon also scoring highly 

The Duchess of Cambridge is the only royal to make this year's top ten most powerful dressers. Pictured: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visiting the East London Mosque in September

The Duchess of Cambridge is the only royal to make this year’s top ten most powerful dressers. Pictured: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visiting the East London Mosque in September

… and the 12 biggest power dressers  

The celebrities whose personal style choices drove the biggest spikes in searches, sales, news coverage and social media mentions over the past 12 months, according to Lyst 

1. HARRY STYLES 

Harry Styles, 26, topped this year's list of power dressers, with his vintage-inspired aesthetic and signature peal necklace. Pictured: Harry at the Brit Awards in February

Harry Styles, 26, topped this year’s list of power dressers, with his vintage-inspired aesthetic and signature peal necklace. Pictured: Harry at the Brit Awards in February 

The British singer, 26, is the first male celebrity to top Lyst’s Power Dressers list. He has gained a reputation for being a style icon with a vintage-inspired aesthetic and signature pearl necklace.

According to Lyst, within 24 hours of releasing ‘Golden’, Harry was able to increase page views for blue and turquoise blazers on their site by 52 per cent, while searches for yellow bucket hats spiked by 92 per cent.

The reports reveals his JW Anderson cardigan sparked a viral #HarryStylesCardigan challenge on TikTok, with searches for the knitwear spiking 166 per cent during the last week of June. 

2. BEYONCE

Beyoncé (pictured) caused a surge in searches for Marine Serre, after wearing a catsuit by the French brand in July

One of the many outfit changes in Beyoncé’s ‘Black Is King’ included a Marine Serre catsuit in a crescent moon print.

Within 48 hours of its debut in July, searches for the French brand spiked 426 per cent and in the following days, more than 3,000 shoppers looked for ‘crescent moon top.’ 

The 39-year-old’s Instagram post, in which she wore an Alessandra Rich suit, in September saw searches for the brand rise 78 per cent week-on-week, reports Lyst.

3. KIM NAMJOON (RM) OF BTS

Kim Namjoon (pictured centre) boosted sales of white menswear, after donning a white turtleneck and white jacket during the band's visit to New York in February

Kim Namjoon (pictured centre) boosted sales of white menswear, after donning a white turtleneck and white jacket during the band’s visit to New York in February 

As the leader of BTS, Kim Namjoon  who is also known as RM, is considered the most influential member of the K-Pop group. In February, when BTS visited New York and Namjoon was spotted wearing a white turtleneck with a white jacket. 

That week according to Lyst, fashion searches for similar menswear pieces spiked 67 per cent. 

The star’s BTS performance at the 2020 MTV VMAs wearing full Gucci looks, boosted searches for Gucci ties by 28 per cent and three-piece suits by 12 per cent within 24 hours.

4. ALEXANDRIA OCASIOCORTEZ

Alexandria OcasioCortez (pictured) went viral in July, boosting searches for red suits by 74 per cent claims Lyst

Alexandria OcasioCortez (pictured) went viral in July, boosting searches for red suits by 74 per cent claims Lyst 

Following Alexandria OcasioCortez’s viral speech on condemning sexism within the U.S. Congress in July, searches for women’s red suits jumped 74 per cent over the following five days.

After she called out Telfar’s signature Shopping Bags on Instagram, searches for the brand spiked 163 per cent that same week, proving that politicians can have as much of an impact on fashion as influencers. 

 5. TRAVIS SCOTT

Travis Scott (pictured) increased searches for Nike, with the announcement of his collaboration with the brand in January

Travis Scott (pictured) increased searches for Nike, with the announcement of his collaboration with the brand in January 

The American rapper (pictured) also helped to boost McDonald's sales, after partnering on a special Cactus Jack meal

The American rapper (pictured) also helped to boost McDonald’s sales, after partnering on a special Cactus Jack meal

According to Lyst, When Travis Scott announced he was collaborating with Nike in January, searches for the sportswear brand spiked 128 per cent month-on-month. Plus, the term ‘Travis Scott x Nike’ spiked 168 per cent within 24 hours upon the release of the Nike Air Max 270 sneaker. 

His recent partnership with McDonald’s on a special Cactus Jack meal ($6), which caused burger shortages, also helped boost the fast-food franchise’s quarterly sales. 

6. PAUL MESCAL

Paul Mescal (pictured) who was spotted wearing shorts throughout summer, helped to boost sales for men's shorts and Louis Vuitton

Paul Mescal (pictured) who was spotted wearing shorts throughout summer, helped to boost sales for men’s shorts and Louis Vuitton 

The Normal People breakout star was spotted wearing short shorts numerous times over the summer, and searches for mens’ ‘short’ shorts increased 51 per cent month-on-month in July.

After wearing Louis Vuitton for the Emmys in September, searches for the French brand’s menswear grew 44 per cent week-on-week.

7. LIZZO

American singer Lizzo (pictured) spiked searches for blue lingerie after appearing in the Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 2

American singer Lizzo (pictured) spiked searches for blue lingerie after appearing in the Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 2

When the singer made an appearance in the Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 2, searches for blue lingerie spiked by 96 per cent. 

Following Lizzo’s Grammys performance in a neon bodysuit, searches for the same item increased 37 per cent in a span of 24 hours.

8. CHARLI D’AMELIO 

TikToker Charli D'Amelio (pictured) boosted searches for pink Prada bags, after attending the brand's show during Fashion Week

TikToker Charli D’Amelio (pictured) boosted searches for pink Prada bags, after attending the brand’s show during Fashion Week 

After the TikToker attended the Prada show in Milan and posted videos with a pink Prada bag, searches for the accessory spiked 90 per cent within 24 hours. 

When she posted a video to celebrate her 72 million followers in a tie-dye cropped tee, searches for tie-dye tees jumped 73 per cent for 48 hours.

9. KATE MIDDLETON

The Duchess of Cambridge (pictured) helped to increase searches for floral face masks according to Lyst 

Less than one day after Kate Middleton wore a floral face mask in early August, searches for the style had already surged 185 per cent in the UK. 

The Duchess of Cambridge is often seen wearing timeless basics, and during a BBC interview in April, her striped breton top caused searches for the patterned shirt to increase 36 per cent in 24 hours.

10. CHIARA FERRAGNI  

Chiara Ferragni (pictured) collaborated with Champion in April, increasing searches for the brand by 108 per cent 

According to Lyst, after the web entrepreneur collaborated with Champion in April, searches for the athletic wear brand spiked 108 per cent that same month. 

Her quarantine fashion choices have also influenced global searches, including her Versace bathrobe and Louis Vuitton fur slippers.

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