Inside-Out – The Official Topshop Blog

At the end of a very busy second day at fashion week Richard Nicoll‘s AW13 show was running fashionably late. As all the models ran in from their earlier shows there was a mad dash to wipe clean any of the day’s previous caked on make-up and laquered hair for a look that was all together very modern. Nicoll‘s colour palette this season embraced dove greys, cornflower blues and french navy with a final smattering of zingy tangerine and the inspiration came from the one and only Debbie Harry, with these in mind the brilliant hair and beauty.

Beauty Goes Blondie

Sharon Dowsett was inspired by a sporty take on London songstress Blondie for a look that was buddle gum pop-fresh just like the icon, this was a vision all about the daytime. The make-up was easy-breezy beautiful with just a little punk spirit in the way of a charcoal and graphite liner around the eyes. “Richard always gives good direction,” said Dowsett of the collaborative effort on making the look work for the face, “I’ve also worked with the stylist Sophia Neophitou for years!” Dowsett used Maybeline for a dramatic smokey lid and dark coal to line the very edges of the inner lids. “I also didn’t want to use any mascara,” said Dowsett, “it makes it feel much fresher.”

Sexy Sleek Hair

Shon at Julian Watson also vibed off Richard Nicoll’s heroine of the season , Blondie, but instead of creating a mirror image of the ’60s starlet turned the icon into a very 21st century woman with slicked back hair. Using plenty of straightening irons and a heavy helping of wax, the girls’ hair was combed back to dramatic space-age style precision and make a sharp cut alongside the collection’s wider silhouettes and brighter colours.

Model Talk

Jourdan Dunn was back in the Topshop showspace for the second time today, making us incredibly jealous of her Chanel high tops and skin that still seems to radiate even after back-to-back shows and endless make-up remover. Another friendly face appeared in the form of Google Plus fan Ashleigh Good who worked the severe slicked back hair look with aplomb.

On The Catwalk

Front row… A dazzling Arizona Muse, Josephine de la Baume and a fleet of glossy editors.

The collection in 5 words… hard working, confident, cool, orange.

The girls on the catwalk… A poised Jourdan Dunn!

Playlist… Everything from creepy Twin Peaks to blessed-out Blondie.

What we loved… The orange! A surefire way to brighten up cold wintry days, this burning orange came in evening dresses, maxis, knitwear and gowns. We love.

Hero piece… A boxy cashmere coat in a dusty colour: wide lapels, contrast hem, mannish cut = sold.

Inspired by… Instinct. Nicoll relied on his basic instinct to work his everyday luxe into a covetable new code of masculine glamour.

End notes… A cool, calm and collected show in chalky hues and ultra-luxe fabrics, for a working woman who knows how to work a strong look.

Re-watch the Topshop Unique AW13 show from Topshop.com, check out our live coverage of London Fashion Week over on our Twitter and keep coming back to Inside-Out for more news from Unique as well as all the NEWGEN talent showing at the Topshop Showspace!