Inside-Out - The Official Topshop Blog

We couldn't help but smile when we heard about the brand new jewellery collection from one of our favourite illustrators and long-time Topshop collaborators, Zara Wood. Or Woody, as she's better known Since we last saw her gorgeous images gracing sweatshirts and tees, Woody has been busy on her newest obsession - and we're loving the results! Inspired by precious heirlooms, each hand-drawn piece is totally unique and showcased in a beautiful vintage setting. An antique watch casing reveals a shy bunny, an owl peers out quizzically from a burnished gold locket and a wide-eyed girl peeks through a glittering broach. We love Zara Wood and we love shiny things; so now that she's combined the two, we're pretty sure we won't be able to resist one, or even two!

With Kate's Christmas collection launching on Thursday, we went over to the Kate Moss team and picked our favourite pieces. Only problem is, after trying them all on, we're having difficulties deciding what to buy! We want it all...

KTZ are fast becoming one of London’s most exciting, cutting-edge brands and we’ve had an absolute blast hosting them in our Edit pop-up shop in our Oxford Circus store!

We headed down to their show to check out what the labels’ designers Sasko Bezovski and Marjan Pejoski will be bringing us next season. What we got was a tribal-high-school-futuristic collection that made us want to shop shop shop!

The show put a crazy futuristic twist on the classic preppy, prom and cheerleader styles of US high schools. KTZ love to play freely with proportion and structure and this season it was the fabrics and prints that were larger than ever – keep your eyes peeled for the vintage Versace print!

We loved the versatile footwear and the detachable leg brace boots and everybody fell for the pretty candy stripe pieces. Models sauntered out with cool-girl attitude, making even the casual pieces stand out!

Hair (by Lyndell Mansfield) was pulled back tight and styled into starbursts of plaits, and make up (by Andrew Gallimore) was metallic yet minimalist. The look was boosted with heavy brows and an even heavier attitude!

We love KTZ because they’re an underground label doing something totally different. They push the boundaries of city style to create truly cool, statement pieces for a youth culture that demands to be seen. It’s confident and brave and we all wish we were as gutsy as KTZ! Shop KTZ’s AW09 collection on Topshop.com!

After the collections showcased in our pop-up boutiqu flew out the door last year, for AW09, EDIT is making a comeback in our Oxford Circus store! Showcasing a hand-picked collective of up-and-coming talents, for many of the designers, we are their only UK stockist.

As well as last year’s favourites - KTZ, Starstyling and Whitetrumpet - there are plenty of new brands to get dressed up in! Originating from countries as diverse as Hong Kong, Greece and Macedonia, the EDIT brands are truly unique, yet unified by their groundbreaking approach to design.

For AW09, as well as clothing, our EDIT pop-up boutique will also be selling jewellery. Whether it be Husam el Odeh’s comb necklace which fixes in the hair and hangs below the chin, or Norwegian Wood’s heavily fringed and embellished statement pieces, all the designs are united by their unconventionality.

To celebrate, for the first time, there will be a KTZ pop-up shop on Topshop.com! The rising stars of London Fashion Week, we had a chat with designers, Marjan Pejoski and Sasko Bezovski and got the low-down on one of this season’s hottest brands.

All images from KTZ's AW09 collection.

When did you realise you wanted to work in fashion?Since I can remember; I’ve always wanted to set up my own brand.

Where did you study design?Central Saint Martins.

Where does the name KTZ come from?It’s an abbreviation of Kokontozai, the name of our shops. It’s Japanese for East meets West.

Where do you get your inspiration?American retro sportswear and 50s dresses which we tend to do a futuristic take on.

How would you describe your aesthetic?Futuristic and dark.

What's your favourite piece from your Topshop collection?The oversized leather jacket, denim coat with cording and the school-boy stripy jackets. They are so timeless!

What’s the coolest thing you’ve ever bought on Ebay?I don’t do e-bay darling!

What was the last song you danced to?Bjork`s greatest hits.

What’s the most exciting place you’ve ever been?In my head.

What inspires you?Beauty in unusual places.

What’s your favourite possession?Stieven Gedess skulls.

What's your most surreal fashion moment?Our first catwalk show at London Fashion Week.

Who would be on your fantasy front row? Bjork, Nitche and Cleopatra.

The EDIT concession will arrive instore in two phases and will run for sixteen weeks.The 1st phase will be 6th September - 25th October. The second, 25th October - 24th December.

Our AW zine is coming out next week - in some of our stores, with your Topshop.com orders and on lots of student campuses! Get excited, not only does it show you all the best bits from Topshop for AW09 but you'll be able to have a good look at Christopher Kane's latest collection for us. Out on September 18th, we're already compiling our shopping lists. And trust us, they're long - this is his biggest and bestest Topshop collection yet! To celebrate, we asked Christopher to answer your blog questions...

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1) I'd like to say that I adore Christopher's AW09 collection and hope that the Topshop collection brings a part of this look to the high street (Get me one of those nude dresses!) Where do you get your inspiration from Christopher? Do you read blogs? Xx Emma

Glad you liked my AW09, it’s definitely one of my all-time favourites. Regarding my inspiration, it can be very random until two weeks before the show - it’s when I start to see real samples that I can start to imagine a character/person from film or music. I don’t know of many blogs except 10 magazine blog, which I help to edit and blog on. You should check it out; it’s very funny and always has the best gossip and goings on.

2) The inspiration for your work has varied greatly over the past years. I would be very interested to know a bit about the process of choosing and developing the inspiration, and eventually translating it into the final collection. Good luck for the future! Shira

I can't really give away too many of my secrets, but if I'm completely honest I always follow my instincts and work to come up with something I love. As I mentioned before I love film and can really relate to characters in film, how they dress, feel etc. Besides film I love art, music... anything that makes me think.

3) Soo excited about the Topshop collection, I would bet money on Christopher Kane becoming one of the great designers of our generation, only then I'd have less money to spend on his clothes!! I would be really interested in hearing from Christopher and finding out what his advice is on getting yourself out there and known in the industry? The way he has risen to greatness so quickly but so deservedly is an inspiration to all hopeful designers like myself. Kathryn

I recommend getting experience as a studio intern, networking and most importantly working your ass off. It's all to do with hard work and being completely and utterly devoted to fashion. If you get a knock back don't let it affect your confidence, remind yourself it is just one person's opinion. Most people assume the fashion industry is all parties and glamour, I would say it is 95% hard work, 5% parties, so it's best always to have your feet firmly on the ground for those factory visits!

4) What is the Christopher Kane woman like, who is she? Thank you for your answer. Ina

I hope my customer is of all ages. I really have no preference, but a good personality helps, and someone who is obviously loves fashion and having fun, not talking herself to seriously. She's strong, independent and very confident, I think my clothes appeal to people who want to really feel special and stand out from the crowd when at a party or in the street. I like that people can identify my clothes straight away - it's a huge compliment when that happens.

5) Even though everything is a bit 'wow' in your new collection, what is the one piece that every girl should own from the new range and why? Cheers, The Caledonista

From my new range I recommend some tartan cashmere or one of my multi coloured ribbon dresses, especially look 21. My Topshop range is really amazing, I think every piece is special and you should definitely purchase my mirror sweat pants to wear with a suit jacket and high heels, not forgetting the mesh all-over mirror dress that is seriously beautiful and very sexy.

6) Hi, just wanted to say how much I love your designs! I was wondering, what's the best part of working in the fashion industry? Katie

I love backstage at my shows, just before the show. It's an amazing feeling to know that you have produced something you can be proud of. Also seeing my clothes in magazines is a thrill. Travelling is a perk too, and meeting and working with talented people like Donatella Versace.

7) Hello. May I start by saying how much I loved your SS09, it was to die for - seriously! Do you have an all-time favourite piece in any of your collections? Zoe

It's too hard to choose, I love all of my clothes. I'll always adore my graduation lace and ring dresses. They mean so much to me; they started my career and remind me of my time at college. I can't wait to revisit them one day.

8) What was it like studying at Central Saint Martins? Annabel

CSM is truly the best art school in the world, I loved it there. I met so many interesting people/tutors. I'll never forget those times. It could be tough though at times, but I loved the challenge - everyday was different and you never knew who you would bump into in the hallway. It really is a magical place.

9) Oooh, Christopher Kane :) I have so many questions but I will limit myself to just one... Which fashion designer do you admire and who has provided you with the most influence? Merci beaucoup, Kirstie

I will always admire the work of Gianni Versace- he truly was a genius. His work always stood out and today it is continuously being copied. His last couture collection still astounds me. I am lucky today to work with Donatella, who is one of the most generous and talented designers today.