An ode to Topshop – Britain’s high street hero rises from the ashes

News that Topshop might return has given hope to the great British high street and brought joy to my elder millennial heart. 

When the iconic British brand fell into administration in 2020 it was a hard pill to swallow for fashionistas. A shocking fall from grace, Topshop was once a high street goliath with 70 stores, including the infamous Oxford Street flagship. 

To say I was a Topshop fan is an understatement. I lived in Joni jeans (which sold a pair every 10 seconds in their heyday), queued outside the store when the Kate Moss collection launched and spent countless Saturdays in my own personal Mecca – trawling the racks, Shazaming the playlist, trying on ballet flats. What a time to be alive! 

Beyond the wardrobe staples, the brand had a real place in the zeitgeist thanks to its design credentials. From their LFW shows, dressing celebs for the Met Gala and even making its way into Kate Middleton’s wardrobe – it was everything. 

Although Topshop was salvaged by Asos in online-only form post-administration, it was never the same and its status has dwindled. Last week’s news that Asos will now sell a 75% stake in the brand in a bid to repay debts amid falling sales, may see the classic British brand reopen bricks and mortar stores. 

Admittedly, things have changed since the store first launched. The rise of cheap, poorly made, fast fashion from online retailers has changed the landscape and how we shop. Is there a place for IRL shopping today? 

The Topshop name doesn’t hold a place in the hearts of Gen Z like it does for millennials. Is a brand reinvention on the cards or will the new Topshop stores tap into the noughties nostalgia to lure millennial shoppers with deeper pockets?  Perhaps the Rihanna t-shirt will return (shout out to Topman), or skinny jeans will make a comeback.  

It all remains to be seen. Whatever happens, it’s an interesting development for the British high street and one to watch for devotees of Moto denim.