The Duchess of Sussex has been named the third most powerful celebrity fashion influencer of 2018 behind two members of the Kardashian-Jenner clan by global search platform Lyst.
Meghan climbed to third behind only Kylie Jenner and Kim Kardashian in Lyst’s annual Fashion Report, although her sister-in-law Kate fared less well, sliding from number five in 2017 to 16 this year.
It seems the newest addition to the senior royals, who rocked a jaw-dropping designer wardrobe over her whirlwind 16-day tour of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga with Prince Harry in October, is wielding even more style clout than long-timer Kate, whose outfits have been selling out within hours of her wearing them for years.
Lyst, which has extended its rankings to a top 20 for the first time for 2018, explored the impact of celebrities’ outfits using a combination of social, search and sales data points.
The platform has monitored spikes in fashion demand sparked by influencers, taking into account social media mentions, press coverage, global search, and sales response to some of the stars’ most talked about outfits – from Kylie Jenner’s athleisure wear to Meghan’s wedding gown.
Number 3: Meghan Markle’s magic effect continues to grow worldwide, with much of the Duchess’ most life-changing year ever played out in the spotlight
The Duchess of Cambridge, seen at the Royal Variety Performance last November, was placed at number five in Lyst’s Fashion Report for 2017 – but slipped down to 16th place in the list of most powerful celebrity fashion influencers for 2018
Elsewhere pop stars including Cardi B, Beyonce and Lady Gaga dominate the list, with eight of the top 20 music industry stars.
Menawhile Serena Williams is the first sportswoman to make the list following the controversy over her black tennis catsuit, while Indian actress Priyanka Chopra joins the mostly American line-up.
A relatively unknown new entry is Italian influencer Chiara Ferragni, who boasts 15m followers, and went viral after wearing three custom-made Dior dresses during her wedding to rapper Fedez.
Elsewhere Rihanna slipped from her top spot last year down to number nine, with her focus being on the launch of her beauty line Fenty.
Kylie Jenner, seen left, has well and truly emerged from her big sister Kim Kardashian’s (seen right) shadow – the 21-year-old was named 2018’s most powerful celebrity fashion influencer by Lyst, while Kim had to satisfy herself with second place
Menawhile Serena Williams is the first sportswoman to make the list following the controversy over her black tennis catsuit, while Indian actress Priyanka Chopra joins the mostly American line-up.
A relatively unknown new entry is Italian influencer Chiara Ferragni, who boasts 15m followers, and went viral after wearing three custom-made Dior dresses during her wedding to rapper Fedez.
Elsewhere Rihanna slipped from her top spot last year down to number nine, with her focus being on the launch of her beauty line Fenty.
1. Kylie Jenner
A pink mini dress that she wore to her birthday party saw searches for ‘pink dresses’ increase 107 per cent in the following 48 hours (seen right), while her Dior sunglasses helped a spike in searches
Truly outgrowing her more humble beginnings as the younger sister of a reality star, 2018 was Kylie Jenner’s year.
At the tender age of 21 the youngest Kardashian has built a beauty empire, acquired over 115m Instagram followers, had her first child and is set to become the youngest ‘self-made’ billionaire.
A true style chameleon, Kylie has driven more than 2 million searches this year, from Adidas tracksuits and Dior sunglasses to Victoria Secret underwear and Alexander Wang mini dresses.
A pink mini dress that she wore to her birthday party saw searches for ‘pink dresses’ increase 107 per cent in the following 48 hours.
2. Kim Kardashian
Kim brought back the nineties thong after wearing a Gucci g-string on Instagram (left) and helped revive bondage-style outwear after wearing a black racy Versace dress
Kim Kardashian made history this year as the first recipient of the CFDA’s Influencer Award.
This was also the year she made bike shorts cool, gave us a thing for neon swimwear and brought back the nineties thong after wearing a Gucci g-string on Instagram.
She was then responsible for helping to revive the Fendi logo when she posted a photo dressed head to toe in the FF ‘Zucca’ monogram, boosting searches by 16% month-on-month.
Elsewhere she helped bring back bondage-style outwear after wearing a black racy Versace dress.
3. Meghan Markle
Meghan’s wedding day outfits caused huge spikes in search for both Givenchy and Stella McCartney (left) while her tuxedo dress (right) caused multiple retailers to sell out
Meghan Markle’s magic effect continues to grow worldwide, after she landed fourth place in last year’s Lyst fashion awards.
Her wedding day outfits caused huge spikes in search for both Givenchy and Stella McCartney.
Meanwhile her daytime looks have also inspired millions of shoppers to try a ‘boat neck’ or ‘tuxedo dress’.
Incredibly, if Meghan wears a designer, that brand will on average see a +200% increase in search demand over the following week.
Meanwhile despite sister-in-law Kate Middleton being in the top 10 last year, the duchess has now dropped down to 16, in this year’s report.
4. Cardi B
Number 4: Rapper Cardi B was the one of the most influential faces at Fashion Week this year, sitting front row next to Anna Wintour at Alexander Wang’s presentation
Rapper Cardi B was the one of the most influential faces at Fashion Week this year, sitting front row next to Anna Wintour at Alexander Wang’s presentation.
The new mother sent searches soaring with every designer she wore, from Christian Siriano to Jeremy Scott.
The Bodak Yellow star influences customers across all price points, and her support for FashionNova has helped supercharge searches for the affordable retailer.
Now a Reebok ambassador too, her first collection for FashionNova sold out in a day.
5. Beyoncé
Number 5: Beyonce is one of the most-followed stars on Instagram, boasting 120m followers, and came in at number five on the list
Queen Bey’s custom Balmain yellow cropped BAK sweater worn at Coachella caused a 58 per cent rise in searches for Balmain hoodies
Queen Bey made headlines this year as the first ever black woman to headline at Coachella, and her outfit didn’t go unnoticed.
The star’s custom Balmain yellow cropped BAK sweater caused a 58 per cent rise in searches for Balmain hoodies.
Her pink suit from the viral ‘Apes**t’ video inspired a surge in pink suit searches over the summer.
The mother-of-three is one of the most-followed stars on Instagram, boasting 120m followers- on top of her talent.
6. Serena Williams
Number 6: Serena Williams’s sporting outfits made the US Open a huge fashion moment this year and helped earn her a place in the top ten list
Serena Williams’s sporting outfits made the US Open a huge fashion moment this year.
The French Tennis Federation caused outrage among women’s rights groups when she was told she wasn’t allowed to wear the custom-made black catsuit.
Her Off-White x Nike ensemble caused a surge in demand for black tennis outfits week on week and searches for ‘black tennis skirts’ and ‘black tennis dresses’ increased by 108%.
7. Chiara Ferragni
Number 7: A relatively unknown new entry is Italian influencer Chiara Ferragni, who boasts 15m followers, and who went viral after wearing three custom-made Dior dresses during her wedding to rapper Fedez
In September Italian Instagram influencer Chiara married rapper Fedez in three custom Dior dresses.
The lavish dresses for her 15m social media followers won her widespread media coverage along with her pictures trending online.
Following the coverage surrounding the big day, the net saw a 109% increase in searches for Dior the following week.
8. Blake Lively
During the promotional tour for movie A Simple Favor, her cream striped double-breasted two-piece by Ralph Lauren inspired over 4,000 searches for Ralph Lauren suits the following week (seen right)
Blake Lively has developed a penchant for statement suiting this year, and shoppers clearly approve.
During the promotional tour for movie A Simple Favor, her cream striped double-breasted two-piece by Ralph Lauren inspired over 4,000 searches for Ralph Lauren suits the following week.
9. Rihanna
Number 9: After being named last year’s most powerful fashion influencer, Rihanna focused on growing her Fenty empire this year, launching beauty and lingerie alongside serving some serious fashion looks
Even the Gucci balaclava Rihanna wore at Coachella caused a 19 per cent spike in searches
After being named last year’s most powerful fashion influencer, Rihanna focused on growing her Fenty empire this year, launching beauty and lingerie alongside serving some serious fashion looks.
The fuchsia Saint Laurent bubble dress she chose for her 30th birthday party promptly sold out worldwide.
Even the Gucci balaclava she wore at Coachella caused a 19 per cent spike in searches.
10. Ariana Grande
Number 10: With over 130m followers on Instagram it’s fair to say that pop starlet Ariana Grande has an army of fans obsessed with her style
Searches for oversized hoodies are up 130 per cent year on year thanks to the Ariana effect
With over 130m followers on Instagram it’s fair to say that Ariana has an army of fans obsessed with her style.
She has driven thousands of searches for brands including Reebok, Burberry and Vera Wang this year.
Searches for oversized hoodies are up 130 per cent year on year thanks to the Ariana effect.