Lyst Index 2026: Chanel and Popular Culture Shake Up the Ranking

The Lyst Index for the first quarter of 2026 ranks Chanel at the top of the list of the most influential brands of the moment. The house surpasses Saint Laurent, now in second place, while Dior claims the third spot in the ranking.

Published since 2017, the Lyst Index is a quarterly ranking based on data from its international fashion search and shopping platform. Its goal is to measure the most popular brands and products in the world of fashion and luxury. The methodology of the ranking goes beyond just the brand’s reputation, taking into account signals like user searches, product views, sales, social media mentions, engagement, and brand dynamics.

With this new edition, the Lyst Index and its methodology called “Desire, Demand, and Discovery” confirm that the most successful brands are not only the most visible. Chanel emerges as the top-performing brand of the quarter, showcasing its ability to translate visibility into commercial success, especially with accessories and shoes.

Behind Chanel, Dior continues to climb and reaches the third spot in the ranking. Saint Laurent maintains its second position, while Gucci makes the biggest leap of the quarter by moving up four places into the top 5, driven by new initiatives within the house.

Prada and Miu Miu experience a more mixed quarter, each dropping two spots in the ranking. Versace, on the other hand, gains two places and ranks twelfth, following its recent acquisition by the Prada group.

The Lyst Index also confirms that brands, even luxury ones, need to be part of a broader cultural ecosystem where fashion, cinema, social media, and global events directly influence consumer demand and interest.

The resurgence of 90s minimalism, fueled by the series “Love Story” and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s style, is a clear example. Various fashion items, such as black turtlenecks and straight-cut denim, saw significant increases in searches after specific cultural references.

For more information, you can access the full ranking on the Lyst website.