Archive for May, 2011

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know by now that London’s biggest “high street” store TOPSHOP is opening its second American location here in the Windy City. Construction has been underway at the Michigan Avenue location at the corner of Pearson in the old Borders space. TOPSHOP is known for its fashion forward designs, celebrity following, and designer collaborations.

I was invited to preview TOPSHOP’s newest collections at their private industry preview event this past Wednesday at theWit hotel’s rooftop lounge overlooking the city. TOPSHOP is planned to open this fall in early September 2011 at 830 North Michigan Avenue. The sales floor will be 35,000 sq. ft. with a DJ booth and open ceiling.

TOPSHOP executive Karen, who is based in London but flew in for the event, graciously showed me every single piece in each of their four collections; Psychobilly; Thrift; Glamrock; and Bavaria. In addition the Chicago location will carry Unique, an in-house designer line that shows each year at London Fashion Week. TOPSHOP Chicago will also include their entire men’s line TOPMAN. Lingerie, maternity, footwear, cosmetics, jewelry, and accessories will each have their own display area in the space.

I chose one to photograph one piece of clothing from Psychobilly, Glamrock and Bavaria, which you can see below:

Mongolian lamb fur vest

Due to imitation and copying concerns each media outlet was only allowed to photograph three products. That is also why I chose not to post any photos of attendees inside since all of the products are easily visible. I respect the company’s desire to keep its designs secret in an industry where blatant copying is unfortunately all too common.

Special thank you to TOPSHOP for dropping off a surprise gift for me at my apartment building. I love my new snakeskin print clutch!