Rumours had been swirling about Topshop’s return since September 2024, when ASOS sold a 75 per cent stake in the company to Danish fashion business Heartland for £135 million.
Now, whispers have become fact as the 1964-founded British brand announced its first physical shopping experience in four years is coming to 23 Curtain Road, Shoreditch, on Saturday May 10. The one-day pop up, which runs 10am - 6pm, will offer fans the chance to buy the latest Talamanca summer collection, “inspired by Ibiza”, as well as limited edition Topshop x Defected T-shirts, in collaboration with East London the record label store Defected Records who is hosting the event.
But five years since the Arcadia Group, which owned Topshop and its subsidiary labels including Topman, Miss Selfridge and Dorothy Perkin, collapsed in November 2020, its renaissance is causing more than a stir in the fashion circles.
What will the new Topshop look like when it officially re-launches in August? Word is many more collaborations are on the table.
Here, the five most iconic pieces to date:
Kate Moss for Topshop
Perhaps the most iconic of Topshop moments. Supermodel Kate Moss launched her debut line with the high street behemoth on May 1, 2007 — ironically the same date that Topshop’s physical return was announced 18 years later. She appeared in that red evening frock in the Oxford Street “big Topshop” windows, launching a line that counted 50 pieces costing £12 to £150. She would make 15 collections for the brand. One standout piece was a copy of the vintage yellow chiffon dress she wore to her then partner Jefferson Hack’s 2003 birthday party. “It was like a 1920s designer that is apparently a museum piece, I mean I had no idea” she told Vogue, reflecting on the original outfit. “Then I copied it for Topshop and now everyone can have it.”
Celia Birtwell for Topshop
In April 2006, print designer Celia Birtwell — who was married to fashion designer Ossie Clark from 1969 to1974 — released her line for Topshop. A flurry of dresses, blouses, and accessories came in her signature floral and graphic prints, the first of which sold out across London within the day. She produced four collections between 2006 and 2008.
Christopher Kane for Topshop
London fashion stalwart Christopher Kane launched his first Topshop collaboration in 2007, but it was his third and final — which came in September 2009, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of London Fashion Week — that featured a now infamous crocodile-print T-shirt dress, jaws wide open. It was a nod to the gorilla mouth dress he made, and Rihanna wore, for his own SS09 collection.
Beyoncé’s Ivy Park for Topshop
Beyoncé’s athleisure line Ivy Park launched with Topshop for the first time in 2016 as a 50/50 joint venture between it's parent company Arcadia Group and the singer’s company Parkwood Entertainment. The Oxford Street flagship takeover was packed with bold-logo tracksuits, crop tops and bodysuits, however the partnership ended in November 2018 when Sir Philip Green was accused of sexual harassment and racial abuse.
The Joni jeans
The best known item in Topshop’s own line: their reliable denim. From the Jamie jean, a high-waisted skinny fit, to the Leigh, which had more stretch, the Baxter and the 90s-inspired Mom jeans, everyone had their go-to. The Joni jean, pictured, is another highlight: super high-waisted, super-skinny fit… and they have been promised to be at the pop-up on May 10.
