While we may all look to the Duchess of Cambridge as one of the most stylish women in the British monarchy, it seems she may not be alone. In fact, when it comes to the concept of conscious fashion in particular, it is Meghan Markle and the Queen that have officially landed themselves an extra title; that of an 'influencer'.
In its 2020 Conscious Fashion report, global fashion search platform Lyst have revealed that the two women are behind two of the six most influential sustainable and ethical moments over the last year.
Compiled from searches carried out by 100 million customers on the platform over the past 12 months, the announcement that the monarch would no longer wear fur in November 2019 prompted a 52% spike in views of faux fur products.
The Queen’s pledge reflects an overall shift towards more conscious, cruelty-free fashion. The past year has also seen a 69% surge in interest around 'vegan leather' - a preferred term, it seems, to 'faux leather' - which according to Lyst averages 33,100 searches per month. Interestingly, demand for 'eco vegan leather' has also been increasing over the past year, suggesting that shoppers are becoming aware of the fact that not all vegan options are environmentally-friendly.
There are similar questions being asked in silk and leather industries.
Revelling in the Queen's modern move, PETA Director of International Programmes, Mimi Bekhechi, said: "PETA staff are raising a glass of gin and Dubonnet to the Queen's compassionate decision to go fur-free. This new policy is a sign of the times, as 95% of the British public also refuses to wear real fur."
Following in her grandmother-in-law's footsteps, Meghan Markle - well-known for her awareness and support of conscious fashion - made a sustainable statement earlier this year, as she was spotted carrying a duffle bag from Prada’s Re-Nylon collection, which is made from ocean
waste and recycled plastic bottles. In the next 24 hours alone, searches
for the brand increased by 12%.
Also featuring in the list's top six is Hollywood royalty Jennifer Aniston, who initiated a 40% increase in searches for 'vintage dresses' in the 48 hours following her appearance at the2020 SAG Awards, where she wore a vintage Christian Dior by John Galliano gown.
Meanwhile, the vintage Chanel jacket worn by Taylor Swift on the January cover of British Vogue prompted a 74% rise in searches for 'vintage Chanel jackets', and the summer launch of ECONYL products - a fabric that is made out of synthetic waste - by both Prada and Burberry saw searches for the innovative material rise by 102%.
Some much-needed good news right now.
Science just got very chic.
