French luxury fashion house Saint Laurent has emerged as the world’s hottest brand in the third quarter (Q3) of 2025, with Miu Miu swapping positions compared with the same period last year, reaffirming a familiar hierarchy at the top of the Lyst Index. Overall, the latest rankings show limited movement among leading brands, with the top three unchanged quarter on quarter (QoQ), signalling that consistency and clearly defined brand codes are being rewarded over novelty despite expectations of creative disruption.

Ralph Lauren emerged as one of the strongest performers of the quarter, climbing five positions with a 24 per cent QoQ increase in demand. Its renewed focus on core lifestyle codes has found strong cultural traction, amplified by seasonal social media trends such as the ‘Ralph Lauren Christmas’ aesthetic. Burberry and Gucci also rose five places each, while Stone Island moved up four spots, supported by a 62 per cent surge in searches, highlighting how brands reaffirming heritage and design discipline are outperforming peers still in transition.

Saint Laurent has topped the Lyst Index in Q3 2025 as limited movement among leading brands highlighted a preference for consistency over disruption.
Ralph Lauren, COS, Burberry, Gucci and Stone Island gained momentum by reinforcing heritage and core identities.
Product demand shifted towards modern classics and functional staples, with quarter-zip knits, outerwear and accessories leading trends.

Brands gaining momentum are those reinforcing established identities rather than chasing bold reinvention. H&M group’s COS retained its third-place ranking while recording a notable 60 per cent QoQ rise in demand on Lyst. Its clean aesthetic, focus on materials and dependable design have continued to resonate globally. The debut of Massimo Dutti at number 16 further underlines growing demand for accessible, design-led brands positioned between everyday wear and fashion credibility.

Conversely, brands that slipped down the Index appear to be those without a clearly articulated or fully re-established creative direction. Lyst noted that this reflects consumer caution rather than rejection, as shoppers adopt a wait-and-see approach during periods of strategic recalibration.

Product trends this quarter leaned heavily towards modern classics and functional staples, signalling a shift away from overt Quiet Luxury towards more robust, utilitarian aesthetics. Categories such as outerwear, knitwear and practical accessories saw strong traction, reflecting a consumer focus on longevity and versatility.

The Polo Ralph Lauren cable-knit quarter-zip sweater emerged as the hottest product of Q4 2025, with searches for quarter-zips rising 132 per cent globally over the past three months. Its renewed popularity was reinforced by appearances in recent luxury runway debuts, placing the classic style firmly back in the spotlight. Lyst noted that the quarter-zip trend reflects a broader maturation in menswear, as younger consumers gravitate towards smarter, work-ready silhouettes.

Outerwear specialist Barbour also saw demand surge 147 per cent in Q4, supported by a series of high-profile collaborations. Meanwhile, Arc’teryx’s Bird Head toque became the world’s hottest headwear item, recording a dramatic 1,058 per cent spike in searches, driven largely by Gen Z and Gen Alpha shoppers.

Among fast-rising brands, Tokyo-based A.Presse recorded a 191 per cent increase in searches, while heritage shirtmaker Charvet saw demand climb 128 per cent following its visibility in Matthieu Blazy’s debut collection at Chanel. According to Lyst, the current Index reflects a broader industry recalibration, where shoppers increasingly favour brands with clear cultural codes, strong product identities and confidence in who they are, rather than those chasing what comes next.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)

The India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement has secured sustained preferential access for Indian exports in the US market valued at over $30 trillion, with tariffs on export of textiles, leather and footwear products, and home décor items reduced from 50 per cent to 18 per cent, while silk receives zero per cent duty access.

The deal opens enhanced opportunities in the US silk products market valued at $113 billion.

The India-US trade deal has secured sustained preferential access for Indian exports in the US market, with tariffs on export of textiles, leather, footwear and home décor items, and machinery and parts cut to 18 per cent.
Silk gets zero per cent duty access.
RMG, carpets, artificial staple fibres, bedspreads, bleached fabrics, curtains, yarn, baby clothing, bed linen and blankets will benefit.

Major export categories benefiting from the reduced tariff structure include readymade garments, carpets, man-made textiles, cotton textiles, artificial staple fibres, bedspreads, bleached fabrics, curtains, yarn, baby clothing, bed linen, blankets, gloves and related products.

The agreement is expected to provide a significant boost to the textile sector, leveraging economies of scale and strengthening small businesses and production clusters.

Enhanced market access is likely to support job creation and reinforce India’s position as a competitive and reliable supplier in global textile value chains, an official release from the Indian government said.

The agreement delivers significant gains for India’s leather and footwear sector, positioning the country as most-preferred supplier to the US market. It offers better access to a US market for these products valued at $42 billion.

Major export categories in this sector expected to benefit include finished leather, leather footwear and footwear components.

Given the labour-intensive nature of the leather and footwear industry, enhanced market access is expected to support manufacturing growth and employment generation, particularly across micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and production clusters.

It opens opportunities in the US home décor market valued at $52 billion. Products benefiting from the reduced tariff structure include wood and furniture items, pillows, cushions, quilts, comforters, non-electrical lamps and related furnishing products.

In addition, zero per cent duty access has been secured for products like seats, chandeliers, illuminated signs and parts of lamps covering a US market worth $13 billion.

Tariffs on export of machinery and parts (excluding aircraft components) have also been reduced from 50 per cent to 18 per cent, opening enhanced opportunities in the US machinery market valued at $477 billion. India’s exports in this segment stand at $2.35 billion now, and the reduced tariff structure is expected to strengthen the competitiveness of Indian manufacturers across a wide range of machinery and component categories.

Fibre2Fashion (DS)

India’s fashion industry is entering a more mature phase of growth, as consumers move away from volume-led buying towards intentional, quality-driven and experience-led consumption. According to Weaving a new India identity: The rise of fast fashion and affordable premium by Deloitte India, the rise of ‘affordable premium’ is redefining how Indian consumers discover, evaluate and invest in fashion.

Fashion and luxury no longer remain aspirational in India with the new trend of fast fashion emerging, one that can be used especially with younger consumers who thrive on experimentation yet believe in value-based premium products that are of superior quality, demonstrate craftsmanship and offer a deeper brand experience.

The insights indicate that brand exploration is on the rise, with close to 40 per cent of consumers having tried new fashion brands in the past year. This openness to experimentation is largely driven by trusted recommendations, social influence and attractive price points that make premium-quality products more accessible. As a result, emerging and mid-premium brands are finding greater acceptance, particularly among younger and urban consumers seeking differentiation without excessive price escalation.

India’s fashion market is shifting from volume-led buying to quality, value and experience-driven consumption, Deloitte India said.
Affordable premium fashion is gaining traction, especially among younger consumers, as brand exploration rises and spending becomes more deliberate.
Mid-premium apparel is growing rapidly, while premium fashion is set to expand faster.

While premium fashion continues to hold strong aspirational value, purchase behaviour remains measured. Most premium purchases are planned around discounts, festive periods or special occasions, underscoring a cautious yet deliberate approach to spending. Consumers are increasingly looking to justify higher spending with tangible value, whether in the form of superior craftsmanship, durability or brand authenticity, rather than impulsive consumption.

“Indian fashion consumption is entering a more confident and discerning phase. Indian consumers are no longer chasing fashion for volume or visibility. They are seeking meaning, longevity and confidence in what they buy by weighing in the purpose and promise of a brand. As aspiration grows, so does the need for trust, transparency and access. Brands that can balance premium perception with affordability and relevance will define the next phase of India’s fashion growth,” said Anand Ramanathan, partner and consumer industry leader, Deloitte India.

Experience is also becoming a defining factor in fashion retail decisions. About 30 per cent of shoppers cite sensory and in-store experience as a key influence on purchase, highlighting the growing importance of physical touchpoints even as digital discovery accelerates. Store ambience, personalised engagement and immersive brand storytelling are playing a larger role in converting interest into purchase, particularly for higher-value apparel segments.

These shifts in consumer mindset are reflected in the industry’s growth outlook. Mid-premium apparel, typically priced between ₹3,500 (~$38.15) and ₹7,000 (~$76.30), is emerging as one of the fastest-growing segments, with a CAGR of approximately 25 per cent. Premium apparel is projected to grow even faster, at over 45 per cent CAGR, driven by rising aspirations, improving disposable incomes and increasing willingness to invest in quality-led fashion.

These trends collectively indicate a clear shift in India’s fashion market. With accessible and affordable premium gaining momentum, brands that optimise for quality, pricing, trust and experience are positioned to lead the next phase of market evolution.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RR)