This Week's Obsession: The Buzziest Brands at the Moment
If you’ve searched for designer fashion online, you’ve likely come across Lyst—the world’s largest fashion shopping platform, with 200 million annual shoppers and an extensive dataset on global fashion trends.
The Lyst Index is their quarterly ranking of the hottest fashion brands and products, determined by analysing:
✔ Search trends and product views across Lyst and global retailers.
✔ Sales data on and off the platform.
✔ Social media buzz, engagement, and influencer traction over a three-month period.
This data provides key insights into which luxury brands are trending, and which ones are slipping in popularity. So who are the buzziest brands for the latest Lyst index? And which brands are moving down or off the list?
Let's start with the top five according to the Lyst Index Q3 - 2024:
- Miu Miu – Reclaims the #1 spot, fueled by its distinctive alt-girl aesthetic and a 30% surge in searches. The Arcadie Bag is one of the hottest products this quarter.
- Loewe – Drops to #2 but remains a dominant force in luxury fashion and leather goods.
- Prada – A major win for Prada, securing two of the top three spots, proving its timeless appeal and strong consumer demand.
- Saint Laurent – A fashion house that continues to deliver classic yet edgy luxury.
- Alaïa – The biggest success story, jumping 12 places in the rankings. Demand for Alaïa handbags, including Le Teckel and Le Coeur, skyrocketed 51% this quarter.
🔻 Falling in the rankings: Balenciaga (-10), Versace (-5), and Louis Vuitton (-3, now at #18).
🔺 New entries: Victoria Beckham (#19) and Chloé (#20) made the list for the first time.
What does this mean for our beloved designer bags? Let's dive in and explore the exciting implications.
Is luxury losing its chokehold on The Lyst Index? The third quarter report reveals a big summer shake-up of the hottest brand ranking. Four new entrants make the chart, sending shock waves through the table as the playing field continues to open up to premium and contemporary labels.
September’s show season, usually a peak inspiration moment for luxury fashion shoppers, failed to galvanise demand from customers faced with soaring prices, global economic instability, and a darkening geo-political climate. This quarter’s data suggests the aspirational fashion fan is still shopping, but is thoughtful and open-minded when it comes to discovering, or re-discovering, the brands worth investing in now.
Miu Miu takes back the number one spot, overtaking Loewe as the hottest brand this quarter. As global demand for Miu Miu’s distinctive alt-girl aesthetic continues to accelerate, searches jumped a further 30% quarter on quarter. Miu Miu girls and boys are wishlisting the Arcadie bag, this quarter’s fourth hottest product.
The real success story this quarter is the impressive ascent of Alaïa, jumping 12 places to become the fifth-hottest fashion brand in the world. At the helm since 2021, creative director Pieter Mulier has reinvigorated the brand while respecting the house’s heritage. Desire for Alaïa is deepening; demand rose 51% this quarter, with customers responding to the sensuality and meticulous craftsmanship of Mulier’s collections. Hero Alaïa products are holding their cachet; well over a year since the mighty Alaïa flats first appeared in the Hottest Products ranking in Q2 2023, the fishnet style is this quarter’s hottest product, with the Le Teckel and Le Coeur bags also still driving significant demand worldwide.
Alaïa was covered in our designer spotlight last week, as we are big fans of their luxury handbags due to their impeccable craftsmanship, understated elegance, and timeless appeal. Filling out the Top Ten are:
6. Bottega Veneta
7. Jacquemus
8. Gucci
9. The Row
10. Valentino
According to Lyst's recent analyses, several designer bags have gained significant popularity:
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Valentino Garavani Locò Shoulder Bag: Crafted from smooth calfskin leather, this bag features a compact design with removable straps and a magnetic VLogo closure, offering both practicality and style. This bag comes in so many sizes, materials and colours - it will be difficult to choose, another great reason to be a member of More Luxury Club. Our favourite: Valentino Garavani Locò shoulder bag in pleated nappa leather with metallic VLogo Signature detail.
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Jacquemus Le Calino Bag: Introduced in the 'Les Sculptures' show, this bag is inspired by artist Henry Moore and is distinguished by its metal ring top handle and side zip, making it a standout accessory. Only two sizes to choose from but many colours and materials, including an embroidered version to add a little whimsy. Again a great choice for sharing, as you don't require whimsy every day - but if you do, definitely own it.
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Miu Miu Arcadie Bag: As mentioned earlier, this bag contributed to Miu Miu reclaiming its position as the world's hottest brand in the third quarter of 2024, with a 30% increase in searches. Miu Miu describes the Arcadie as Inspired by the top-handle bag, Arcadie blends elegant and casual, vintage and contemporary. Clean lines and soft materials meet in a harmony of craftsmanship and versions. Discover its new version with a sporty attitude. Again, so much diversity of design and outstanding quality makes it a great choice to have several in your MLC collection. How about a fun mini metallic Arcadie in Pyrite to dress up or down?
Look for these and other More Luxury Club favourites on our Voting page.
Learn more about the Q3 2024 Lyst Index
Designer Spotlight - Why Jacquemus is on our Designer Radar and should be on yours
Many in our community love luxury and are price conscious, so when choosing a bag they often first look at style then price point. We always advocate to buy those things you will wear all the time. So Jacquemus is a brand that offers value whether you are owning or co-owning.
Love It or 'Hate It'? - Doctor Holdall
Across all the bag trends to emerge from the spring/summer 2025 shows, practicality reigned supreme. Scaled-down mini bags were usurped by capacious totes that came in various shapes and fabrications. Doctor holdalls – with the same characteristics as those historically carried by physicians – were one of the most functional accessories on the runways, seen at Miu Miu, Jil Sander, Hermès and The Row.
