THE RUN UP TO TOPSHOP UNIQUE SS11

So this is it! With only four weeks to go until our Unique SS11 collection hits the catwalk at London Fashion Week, the design team at Topshop HQ are giving you a true glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes in the run up to our show. 

Everyone always asks how it's done? Well now you can enjoy a sneak peak of how we put our catwalk collections together. We've got to keep certain things under-wraps and TOP SECRET of course - or it won't be a surprise come show day! But from now on, each week, we'll be bringing you a run-down of what we're up to.

We started preparing five months ago, and now it's all action, action, action with only weeks to go! The cloth is arriving and is currently being cut and shaped into garments. Things are finally taking shape and we’re excited and nervous all at the same time.

Our days are spent fitting toiles on the models, double checking everything is correct before cutting the actual cloth and crossing our fingers that it looks as amazing as we’d envisioned - there’s no going back now!

It's not at all glamorous at this stage. A lot of planning and working out goes on; everything has to be in place before anything can be made. As you can imagine, there are a lot of debates. We're at one of the most nail biting stages - will everything be here on time? No cloth - no clothes! 

Check back next week to see how we're getting along... 

SUMMER PARTY!

Last week, everyone at Topshop HQ made their way to a lovely stately home for our summer party. The whole place was decked out like a country retreat with outdoor spa treatments for the taking and delicious nibbles making the rounds. We piled into an enormous marquee fitted out with its own catwalk and waited for our compere James Corden to take to the stage and introduce awards, speeches and a runway preview of our amazing AW collections. Believe us when we say there wasn't a piece that we didn't instantly fall in love with!

Then we piled into the sprawling mansion for an evening of musical bliss. There were DJ sets from Goldielocks and Little Boots, yummy cocktails on offer and a brilliant performance from our absolute favourite Darwin Deez. We had to stop ourselves getting over excited! Then it was off to another room to be completely wowed by NYC boys The Drums, who put on an amazingly energetic show and got us all dancing. After a bit more of a boogie to some classic party songs we braved the rain and made our way home, exhausted from throwing moves, but super-excited about new season style!

BIRTHDAY TIME!

 
Over on knitwear, it’s one of the buyer’s birthdays. We don’t think we’ve seen a cuter or more appropriate cake - it’s the Aran boyfriend cardigan that all the girls on knitwear are in love with! You can get yours here... that would be the cardi, and not the cake!

FASHION EAST’S NEW STARS

It's Fashion East's 10th birthday this September and as well as wishing their lovely director Lulu Kennedy, and her team congratulations, we’re super excited to tell you all that we’re sponsoring this amazing initiative for the 15th season running.

SS11 sees the anticipated return of Heikki Salonen, alongside hotly tipped newcomers Simone Rocha and Felicity Brown. These are the up-and-coming designers you need to keep on your radar!   

Since Fashion East was established by The Old Truman Brewery back in 2000, Lulu has been the industry’s eyes and ears! She’s kick-started the careers of some of the UK’s most exciting designers, many who have become part of NEWGEN. 

Now famed for offering a snapshot of what's cool and happening in London, Fashion East's show is always one of the hottest tickets in town! Vital for spotting and supporting new talent, we couldn't be happier that Fashion East will be showing at the amazing new Topshop Show Space this season. Here’s a little taste of what to expect...

HEIKKI SALONEN

Heikki Salonen will be showing at Fashion East for the third season running. His AW10 collection was lauded by cool girls around the world who worked his edgy, androgynous pieces into their wardrobes effortlessly. Giving you the inside scoop, this season he’s been influenced by a whole range of things from Native American Indians to skater girls - we can't wait!  

SIMONE ROCHA

Having just graduated from Central Saint Martin’s renowned Fashion MA, Simone Rocha is showing at Fashion East for the first time and is causing quite a stir amongst the fashion pack. With influences from Frances Bacon to Mark Borthwick, Simone’s clothes are beautiful in a modern, innovative way! Her SS11 collection is going to be based around strength and romance and we can’t wait to take a peep.  

FELICITY BROWN 

Felicity Brown gained a 1st class BA honours from the Glasgow School of Art and an MA with distinction from the Royal Collage of Art. Yes, it’s no wonder we’re so excited! Having cut her teeth as a designer at Alberta Ferretti, Loewe, Mulberry and Lanvin, her debut collection was snapped up by the world’s hottest stores and us set to cause a stir for SS11. 

For lots of exciting behind the scenes news in the run up to Fashion East’s show, check out Lulu’s blog.

DREAMY!

We had to stop and stare when we saw this dress wafting past our desk today! With its raw edges and pretty colouring it's pretty much everything we want for the Indian summer that we just know is around the corner. Or not (but we can hope and dream), or just throw on our favourite chunky knit over the top.