Q4 2020

The Lyst Index

Fashion’s Hottest Brands and Products Q4 2020

The Lyst Index is a quarterly ranking of fashion’s hottest brands and products. Lyst is the definitive fashion shopping platform, used by more than 100 million people each year to browse, discover and buy items from 12,000 brands and stores. The formula behind The Lyst Index takes into account Lyst shopper behaviour, including conversion rates and sales. It also includes Google search data, as well as social media mentions and engagement statistics worldwide over a three month period.

Q4 2020
Hottest Brands

Q3 2020
  1. 1

    Gucci

    • Ran #GucciFest fashion and film festival
    • Unveiled collaboration with The North Face
    • Harry Styles wore a Gucci dress on the cover of Vogue
    1
  2. 2

    Balenciaga

    • Debuted F/W ‘21 in an online video game
    • Collaborated with Vibram on toe shoes
    • Kim Kardashian wore a Balenciaga bodysuit for Halloween
    5
  3. 3

    Moncler

    • Announced acquisition of Stone Island
    • Launched collection with Rick Owens
    • Opened Paris flagship on the Champs-Elysées
    13
  4. 4

    Off-White

    • Launched new home collection
    • Created face mask to fundraise for Covid-19 research
    • Debuted a capsule collection on WeChat
    2
  5. 5

    Prada

    • Honouree in the creativity category at the Fashion Awards
    • Unveiled latest Adidas collaboration
    • Auctioned unique pieces with Sotheby’s in support of UNESCO
    4
  6. 6

    Saint Laurent

    • Presented S/S ‘21 in a video set on sand dunes
    • Returned to growth, as reported by parent company Kering
    • Launched wellington boots in collaboration with Hunter
    8
  7. 7

    Bottega Veneta

    • Held exclusive S/S ‘21 show in London
    • 17% revenue growth reported for third quarter
    • Deactivated Instagram account
    9
  8. 8

    Versace

    • Opened flagship stores in London and Paris
    • Launched new furniture collection
    • Kate Moss wore Versace on British Vogue’s cover
    7
  9. 9

    Valentino

    • Appointed Zendaya as face of the brand
    • Launched Valentino Insights virtual shopping experience
    • Held interactive brand event, Resignify, in Shanghai
    10
  10. 10

    Fendi

    • Collaborated with CHAOS on tech jewelry
    • Laid foundation stone of new production site in Italy
    • Opened pop-up Fendi cafe at Selfridges in London
    6
  11. 11

    Nike

    • Published Nike: Better is Temporary book with Phaidon
    • Introduced Nike Unite retail concept, focusing on community
    • Launched Every Stitch Considered craftsmanship collection
    3
  12. 12

    Burberry

    • Partnered with Marcus Rashford to support youth globally
    • Announced digital content partnership with Tencent Games
    • Placed 2nd overall for fashion in Dow Jones Sustainability Index
    12
  13. 13

    Jacquemus

    • Unveiled ‘90s-inspired campaign with Laetitia Casta
    • Collaborated with ceramicist Daphne Leon
    • Launched a pink capsule collection for Christmas
    11
  14. 14

    Alexander McQueen

    • Showed S/S ‘21 in a film by Jonathan Glazer
    • Presented pre-spring collection designed during lockdown
    • Dressed Korean band BTS for the KBS Song Festival
    14
  15. 15

    Loewe

    • Presented S/S ‘21 with continuation of Show-in-a-Box
    • Celebrated artist Ken Price with a capsule collection
    • Opened new stores in Paris and Singapore
    15
  16. 16

    Balmain

    • Shot pre-fall campaign in store window, broadcast live on YouTube
    • Debuted L'Atelier Balmain podcast
    • Launched a brand hub on Apple Music
    16
  17. 17

    Givenchy

    • S/S ‘21 by Matthew M. Williams unveiled
    • Updated Antigona bags released
    • Three-toed heels went viral on social media
    18
  18. 18

    Adidas

    • Ran Creators Club Week digital festival
    • Launched A+P LUNA ROSSA 21 sneakers with Prada
    • Debuted second Ivy Park collection with Beyoncé
    17
  19. 19

    Stone Island

    • Joining forces with Moncler in €1.15bn deal
    • Opened new stores in Beijing and Miami
    • Launched sunglasses in collaboration with Persol
    22
  20. 20

    Fear of God

    • Announced basketball partnership with Adidas
    • Celebrated Kamala Harris with pieces in support of Black Futures Lab
    • Ran 7-day digital experience with SSENSE
    19

A chaotic year draws to a close

Gucci retains its position as the hottest brand in the world, having honed a pandemic-era playbook of reaching consumers across multiple channels — with a strong emphasis on digital. In common with the other brands on the list, all of which adapted to coronavirus’ challenges, Gucci excels at capturing imaginations and generating conversation. From running an online fashion and film festival, promoted not just on social media but also on billboards in key cities, to outfitting Harry Styles for his American Vogue cover, Gucci generated a drumbeat of moments to keep shoppers engaged — at a time with most physical events still off, and some stores shuttered.

Throughout a tumultuous year, ecommerce has been one of the bright spots for the fashion industry, with the pandemic accelerating the adoption of online shopping. During the final quarter, brands continued to invest in digital-first initiatives, from Balenciaga’s video game launch of its Fall/Winter ‘21 collection, to Valentino’s virtual and shoppable Insights villa. At the same time, flagship store openings continued in major cities — Loewe, Moncler and Versace all opened new doors in Paris — suggesting that brands see a multi-channel future, albeit one where digital occupies a larger space than pre-pandemic. During the quarter, Kering announced its results for the preceding one: ecommerce grew 102% overall, making up just under a quarter of direct sales in North America for its brands including Balenciaga and Saint Laurent.

Moncler is the quarter’s biggest rising brand, moving up 10 places into 3rd place — its highest ever position in The Lyst Index. The Italian label was boosted partly by seasonality and the growth of puffer jackets as a category, but also by the launch of a collection with Rick Owens and the news that the firm would acquire Stone Island in a deal worth €1.15bn. With eight of the 20 hottest brands belonging to the Kering or LVMH conglomerates, and several others forming part of smaller luxury groups, The Lyst Index supports the theory that scale helps brands to succeed today. Coronavirus is likely to accelerate further consolidation. As the industry looks ahead to 2021, normalcy may not be on the cards straight away, but there is much to be optimistic about.

Hottest products

To find the world’s hottest products, Lyst’s formula filters more than eight million items by volume of social media mentions, searches, page views, interactions and sales across thousands of online stores. We group colours for styles, and take into account global demand per volume of stock available.

Q4 2020
Hottest women's products

  1. Photo: The North Face 1996 retro Nuptse jacket

    The North Face 1996 retro Nuptse jacket

  2. Photo: Birkenstock shearling lined Boston clogs

    Birkenstock shearling lined Boston clogs

  3. Photo: Bottega Veneta Lug boots

    Bottega Veneta Lug boots

  4. Photo: Chloé Betty rain boots

    Chloé Betty rain boots

  5. Photo: UGG classic ultra mini boots

    UGG classic ultra mini boots

  6. Photo: SKIMS velour hoodie

    SKIMS velour hoodie

  7. Photo: Jacquemus knitted bralette

    Jacquemus knitted bralette

  8. Photo: Marc Jacobs Snapshot bag

    Marc Jacobs Snapshot bag

  9. Photo: Sleeper feather trimmed Party pyjamas

    Sleeper feather trimmed Party pyjamas

  10. Photo: Stand Studio Nikki coat

    Stand Studio Nikki coat

Q4 2020
Hottest men's products

  1. Photo: The North Face 1996 retro Nuptse jacket

    The North Face 1996 retro Nuptse jacket

  2. Photo: Moncler Sassiere down jacket

    Moncler Sassiere down jacket

  3. Photo: UGG Scuff Deco slippers

    UGG Scuff Deco slippers

  4. Photo: Stone Island Crinkle Reps NY down jacket

    Stone Island Crinkle Reps NY down jacket

  5. Photo: Nike Tech Fleece full-zip hoodie

    Nike Tech Fleece full-zip hoodie

  6. Photo: Moncler Montcla down jacket

    Moncler Montcla down jacket

  7. Photo: Birkenstock Boston clogs

    Birkenstock Boston clogs

  8. Photo: Canada Goose Garson down vest

    Canada Goose Garson down vest

  9. Photo: On Running Cloud X sneakers

    On Running Cloud X sneakers

  10. Photo: Balmain 3D effect logo sweatshirt

    Balmain 3D effect logo sweatshirt