Hulanicki highs at Topshop

60s icon Barbara Hulanicki is the latest designer collaboration collection at Topshop and judging by tonight's launch event, this summer's playful pantsuits, chiffon print scarves and blouses will fly off the racks. Hitting stores on the 28th April, London's fashion hipsters had a week's headstart on the rest of the country with an exclusive private shopping event in Notting Hill's Millers Academy (antiques-laden literary private club).

This type of private shopping event has to be a winner in today's tired seen-it-all-before retail climate. The treasure trove ambiance of the venue and wardrobes full to bursting of the new collection probably helped matters - as did the cocktails and Delicious catering to fuel decision making.

Hulanicki was holding court among her Biba-era friends such as Jo Wood, Jan de Villeneuve and Cilla Black. She told me she'd had lots of fun working with the Topshop team on bringing her colourful sunny clothes to life again. And her favourite outfit is the grey suede crop jacket with matching high waisted shorts: "I can't wait to see how everything sells!" she said.

My Moto Tosho

Not only will Topshop finally arrive in New York in October (see previous blog entry: Tosho drip feeds Manhattan fans) but next week the UK retailer will also launch a more "premium denim offer" in the shape of a brand new Topshop Moto shop-in-shop at Oxford Circus.

Kicking off in time for London Fashion Week, Topshop has teamed up with a select few "masters of jeanology": including Sass and Bide, J Brand and Dittos to create a collection of perfect cut, wardrobe essentials especially for Topshop Moto. The premium capsule collections include exclusive styles and washes such as the Strays slim leg, New Nights spray-on and Bon Vivants side-pleat jeans; which are sold alongside the more fashion forward, higher-end pieces in its own Moto denim line.


Check out this rock-chick delight from Sass & Bide for Topshop in-store now.

"Topshop has been revolutionary in changing the face of high street fashion... they are iconic & leaders in the marketplace & we are very excited to be collaborating with them" says Sarah-Jane Clarke of Sass & Bide.

Key rock-chick items such as coloured tiger print jeans or all over black sequin jeans as well as core seasonal pieces such as the Evita or Baxter jean will sit alongside cult brands such as Joe's Jeans, My Lovely Jean and Radcliffe in the new space.

And last but not least because Topshop understands that the quest for the perfect pair of jeans is the ultimate battle, Suzy Radcliffe, the brains behind Radcliffe jeans will be running Topshop's very own pop-up Denim Clinic from Monday 15th - Saturday 20th September in the Oxford Circus store. I'm a massive fan of the W2 Paddington style and Radcliffe's ingenious ankle cuff-links system make the brand stand out from the denim crowd. She's in good company in the new denim space too.

Oh and it's opposite the newly refurbished Kate Moss area in-store, where you'll find Mossy's own take on denim. She says that striped trousers are the new skinny jeans. I kind of like the rock-chick-meets-sexy-clownette look!

Topshop drip feeds Manhattan fans

Topshop's New York plans were unveiled earlier this summer with a Manhattan press launch to preview the range that will hit the brand new SoHo flagship on Broadway in October (check the Kate Moss hoarding for now). 

The four floor 40,000 sq ft store will be light and airy and full of all the UK collections to please the crowds who've been waiting for their favourite UK high street brand to open there for over a year.  Check out the futuristic coloured strip lights and neon mannequins in stylised groups for a shot of inspired VM - see store rendering image. 

New Yorkers will be able to choose from mainline Topshop and Topman collections such as Bandstand, Darkside, Sedition and Wonderland for girls and Block Head, Fall Out or Shambles for guys; as well as designer collaboratons (eg Preen, Christopher Kane) - watch out for New York Fashion Week link ups in the same way Topshop sponsors London Fashion Week hotties with the New Gen area. And don't forget the high-end in-house Unique line shown during LFW. 

Get ordering this must have from Wonderland girls! Kori Richardson hat £25, "Play Your Cards Right" dress £65, cardigan £35, belt £30, gloves £18, tights £6 (US$ still to be confirmed).

So with Topshop's US marketing activities kicking in over the summer at hip Brooklyn hotspot Williamsburg's McCarren Park pool events, and a slow drip feed of key pieces previewed in glossy mags and gossipy blogs - it won't be long before Topshop hits the Big Apple big time.

But we just have to ask will the coveted M250 VIP membership card be distributed among the NYFEDs - at 40% discount, and the US dollar prices that's practically giving it away!