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Industry Talks of Change But Celebrities and Fashion Weeks Continue to Influence Consumers

A rap video, a soccer legend and a popular print from the ’90s are among the pop culture relics influencing consumers’ online apparel and accessories searches this week.

While Beyoncé’s recent film “Black Is King” shined a spotlight on fashion inspired by the animal kingdom, the latest music video by Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion for “WAP” revealed a whole new wild side with snake leather lingerie, zebra print bodysuits and wigs, and a special appearance by Kylie Jenner dressed head-to-toe in leopard print.

The latest Data Drop by global fashion search platform Lyst shows page views of animal print pieces doubled over the weekend following the release of the video, while leopard, tiger and snake print searches collectively surged 201 percent week-on-week.

In particular, “leopard print bodysuit” is the most popular style among shoppers, Lyst reported.

Beyoncé's new visual album is a showcase of black designers' creativity and talent that continues to be overlooked by the fashion industry.
“Black Is King” Disney+

Meanwhile, interest in butterfly prints, which came into fashion in the ’70s and again in the ’90s, is on the upswing. Searches that include the word “butterfly: have more than tripled over the last two months, according to Lyst data, with people searching for necklaces and tops in particular.

The trend may be another example of how consumers are looking to higher powers for style inspiration. Around the world, Lyst said people view the butterfly as a representation of endurance, change, hope and life.

Crochet fashion, another trend pulled from the ’70s, is catching on, too. Searches for crochet clothing are up 85 percent since July. While demand for crochet bikini tops has remained high throughout the summer, Lyst said interest in crochet dresses and shorts is also rising, with searches for dresses increasing 26 percent and shorts up 20 percent.

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Beachwear is on consumers’ minds as well, particularly a pair of trunks worn by David Beckham. Searches for Versace swim shorts increased 107 percent after Beckham was seen wearing a pair on the beach in Greece. Consumers are seeking ways to emulate the former soccer star’s look. Data shows that terms “printed” and “baroque” experienced significant increases, up 39 percent collectively.

And though fashion weeks around the world have been modified with hybrid digital and in-person experiences, don’t cancel out the events’ influence just yet. Fashion watchers are keeping a close eye on Copenhagen Fashion Week, Lyst said, and searches for street style inspired pieces are gaining momentum.

In particular, consumers continue to be enamored by exaggerated sleeves. Demand for “balloon sleeves” is up 40 percent with tops and dresses being the most searched for styles, according to Lyst. Moreover, searches for leather pieces rose 31 percent with a Ganni button-down mini dress being the most viewed product. Additionally, demand for “oversized collar” tops and dresses—much like the ones in the latest Ganni and Levi’s rental-only collection—is also growing, up 46 percent collectively month-on-month.