London Fashion Capital Of World, Study Reveals

Fish and chips isn't the most fashion-friendly (read: low calorie) dish, the rainy weather wreaks havoc on fashionistas' high heels and Buckingham Palace is neither sleek nor stylish.

But London still managed to be named the world's fashion capital for 2011, thanks to two people you may have heard of: Kate Middleton and Alexander McQueen.

According to a survey by the Global Language Monitor, a company that analyzes trends in word usage, London has overtaken New York City as the world's fashion capital, based on what impact the city had on fashion through the media.

Global Language Monitor tracked websites, blogs, Twitter and all sorts of other social media to see which country -- and its citizens-- were fashion's most important names.

Bekka Payack, the company's fashion correspondent, said, "We are seeing what the impact of two genuine media stars, Princess Catherine (the former Kate Middleton) and Alexander McQueen can have upon a global ranking. Our numbers show that it was their presence that tipped the victory to London over New York."

Don't need to tell us twice -- we spend way more time talking about Catherine than any old designer or fashion editor. For fashion, London -- or more specifically, Kensington Palace-- is where it's at.

As far as the other metropolises occupying the list, some were expected, others less so. We're shocked Tokyo ranked so low, we're disappointed that Los Angeles even made the list and we are super excited and curious about Berlin's quite favorable ranking.

Here's the rundown of the Top Ten, including what number position each city held last year (all commentary care of Global Language Monitor):

1. London (3) - Kate Middleton and Alexander McQueen help raise the City to No.1 status.

2. New York (1) - New York is strong but London has Kate. 'Nuff said.

3. Paris (4) - No. 1 in our hearts but No. 3 in the media.

4. Milan (6) - The Earth has returned to its proper orbit: The Big Four once again occupy the top four spots.

5. Los Angeles (5) - LA solidifying her hold on No. 5.

6. Hong Kong (2) -- Down from No. 2 but tops again in Asia.

7. Barcelona (10) - The Queen of the Iberian Peninsula. Once again.

8. Singapore (15) - Up seven spots and into the Top Ten.

9. Tokyo (14) - Third Asian city in the Top Ten.

10. Berlin (18) - Completes a long climb into elite status.

For a list of the least fashionable cities (in America, at least), click here.

Comments

[3Nox]

06:50 PM on 08/21/2011

I would have gone with Paris right away.

[LMPE]

05:02 PM on 08/20/2011

Oh really?

[3Nox]

06:50 PM on 08/21/2011

YA RLY

[Cbp76]

06:09 AM on 08/20/2011

I'm loving the fact that you can see Enfield ablaze in the background during the riots. Good choice of picture!

[iconico62]

05:54 AM on 08/20/2011

Because of Kate, London is now the fashion capital of the world? Dumb. It's like saying Orlando, FL has the biggest ears in the world all because of Mickey Mouse. Or that LA is the chin capital of the world. After all they have Jay Leno. Pretty dumb premise.

[gstar]

11:14 AM on 08/19/2011

,,,Singapore is more stylish than Tokyo and Berlin???...you have got to be joking!! Have these people been to Singapore??

[deluk]

05:12 PM on 08/20/2011

I have, it shouldn't be on any list, and neither should Hong Kong.

[tjr101]

06:47 PM on 08/18/2011

London is a great city no doubt, I love it and enjoy it every time I am fortunate to visit. However there is just nothing else in the world that can touch the sheer size, energy, excitement and magnetism of NYC.

[robertaruth]

04:12 PM on 08/18/2011

As a New Yorker, I couldn't care less which city is the fashion capital of the world, but I've so had fun with some of the absurd comments.

[Third-World-Man]

12:11 PM on 08/18/2011

Guess they have never taken a ride on the Underground.

Some seriously fashion faux pas.

[A Uumellmahaye]

12:08 PM on 08/18/2011

Cause they rock the hats!

[David Keith]

11:51 AM on 08/18/2011

Pfft. Strike fashion. London is capital of the world.

[Toivo Makinen]

11:46 AM on 08/18/2011

If so, then New York City is Pippa!

[Toivo Makinen]

11:42 AM on 08/18/2011

What? No.

[veritas88]

11:33 AM on 08/18/2011

NYC > London.

[deluk]

01:30 PM on 08/18/2011

Only Americans would claim that, no Europeans ever would, you know a city is lacking something fashion wise when a a cities fashionistas go mad over the opening of a New York branch of "Topshop" (the British high street fashion chain)

[deluk]

01:37 PM on 08/18/2011

adds, people in New York (NOT the suburbs) dress better, however it's a moot point as to whether they're more "fashionable", they're rather conservative.

[Malcolm Harper]

02:59 PM on 08/18/2011

London is spectacular, don't get my wrong, however there is no other city like New York City in the world. And that's just a fact.

As far as Topshop, that argument can be said about a lot of other brand stores that open in various places around the world. It's the marketing of the brand which begins the craze and they play on the fact it's "chic foreign designs" to lure in consumers. For example, when I went to Tokyo in 2008 they were getting ready to open up their first Abercrombie & Fitch and everyone was going, as you suggested about Topshop, mad. Ultimately it's just A&F, and it's just Topshop. Marketing execs get paid big bucks to create that craze. It does not mean a city is lacking anything, that's just a rather bold statement on your part.

[Bergen2]

11:23 AM on 08/18/2011

Yea right.

[PaticaDeGato]

10:08 AM on 08/18/2011

So, if Kate Middleton moved to Orlando, FL, then Disneyworld would be the chic capital of the US?

[TFlint]

10:51 AM on 08/18/2011

It's a small world after all!

[deluk]

12:56 PM on 08/18/2011

London has it all, Kate middleton just "tipped the balance" as the article says.