Cardi B, Lizzo, Zendaya & More Are Driving Online Fashion Sales

Fashion continues to evolve as to allow more diversity in the industry. While we have many more hills to climb, it’s hopeful when you see how the culture is beginning to shift. I remember when it was a headline to have a plus size model in a runway show or an editorial, now it’s becoming almost mandatory (unless you want a swift Internet questioning). Hopefully, it will soon just be the norm. In the 90s when fashion used to only include the greatest of houses like Maison, Dior, and Louis Vuitton, we ignored the influence of streetstyle on brands. But now, high end designers are partnering with affordable brands like Target and H&M to bring accessible fashion and brands are partnering with Influencers to create collections and more as to drive sales.

Lyst released their 2019 Year In Fashion Report and the results, at least to me, were not that surprising. 104 million people started their fashion search on Lyst. The company took the data and analyzed it, leading them to create a list of the top celebrities ranked, based on word searches, sales, news coverings, and social media mentioning over the past 12 months. 50% of the list featured Black people. Keep on clicking to see the Black women that were included on this list.

Source: PPE/Royal/WENN.com / WENN

The top celebrity to drive this was no other than Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex. The report revealed that “Meghan Markle was the most powerful dresser of 2019 and her outfits sparked, on average, a 216% increase in searches for similar pieces.” It’s no surprise as when the Duchess makes an appearance her ensembles often lead to selling out. It doesn’t even have to be the exact piece, it can just be a category. Lyst reports, “After she wore five different shirt dresses on the Royal Tour of South Africa, searches for the category grew 45% over a month.” MM is a style star!

Source: Tim P. Whitby / Getty

Zendaya is keeping brands relevant via her Instagram account. She’s become a style icon in her own right, partnering with Law Roach who creates epic look after epic look for the 23-year-old. There’s a reason why fashion houses want to partner with her and she continues to associate herself with various high end brands. She came in third on the list and Lyst revealed, “When she stepped out on the MET Gala red carpet dressed in a light-up Cinderella gown by Tommy Hilfiger – complete with a carriage shaped bag and glass slippers – her look caused a 54% rise in search for the brand.” Fashion companies used to pay advertisers millions of dollars for coverage like this. Now it can happen via social media in under 24 hours.

Source: FRANCOIS GUILLOT / Getty

Number 5 on the List is none other than the Bronx beauty herself, Cardi B. Lyst reports that Cardi B was “one of the most impactful faces at Fashion Week in September.” Naturally, as the rapper doesn’t take herself too seriously and has a close knit team that works to create statement red carpet looks for almost every event.

Source: Joseph Okpako / Getty

Lizzo is 100% that b*tch, coming in number 8 on the list and I’m sure, will just continue to rise. It’s no surprise as she’s repping for body diversity, breaking barriers with a Vogue Magazine cover and more. While Loni Love might have said their are no plus size fashion icons, Lizzo is certainly gunning for that title. Lyst reveals that the demand for “signature leotards – searches have risen 28% year on year.”

Source: Gilbert Carrasquillo / Getty

While he’s not a Black woman, he is a fashion star and Black, so we’re adding him. He rounded out the celeb list at #10 for his striking red carpet moments. “When he wore a custom tuxedo-gown by Christian Siriano to the Oscars, searches for the designer increased 101% in 24 hours.”

You can access the full report here.

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