Topshop: British brand, jeans & fashion for women and men
Topshop is the epitome of cool British style — a High-Street brand that has filled the gap between affordable everyday fashion and real runway aesthetics for decades. What began in 1964 as a department within a Sheffield store is now a global fashion concept that attracts models, designers, and celebrities alike. Brands like Asos, Calvin Klein, and Adidas are in the same segment — yet Topshop has developed a unique British identity that sets it apart from all others.
The Birth of a Cult Brand
In 1964, the department store Peter Robinson opened a subsection for young fashion under the name “Peter Robinson’s Top Shop” in Sheffield. The concept: affordable, trendy fashion for the youth who couldn’t afford expensive designers but still wanted to look stylish.
When Peter Robinson closed its doors in the 1970s, Topshop was already on its own feet. The brand became independent — and grew. First in the UK, then internationally. What began as a department store project became one of the world’s most well-known high street brands.
Topshop has succeeded in making British street style mass-market accessible without losing its character. That is the real achievement of this brand.
The most important milestones
- 1964: Founded as a sub-brand of Peter Robinson in Sheffield
- 1970s: Topshop becomes an independent brand, first expansion in the UK
- 2000s: International expansion, collaborations with stars and designers
- 2016: First stores in Germany
- Today: Topshop is primarily active as an online brand under ASOS
Sub-brands: Unique, Boutique and Topman
Topshop Unique
Topshop Unique was the premium line of the brand and was presented annually at the London Fashion Week. The pieces were priced above the regular Topshop level and were inspired by runway aesthetics. Flowing fabrics, refined cuts, reduced color palettes — Topshop Unique proved that High Street and High Fashion are not contradictions.
Topshop Boutique
Modern, minimalist fashion for young, style-conscious women. Boutique combined current trends with timeless quality and positioned itself between the regular range and the Unique line.
Topman
The men’s line of Topshop targets the same urban, style-conscious customer — just male. From basic tees through structured blazers to statement outerwear: Topman followed the same approach as Topshop, fully tailored to a male target audience.
Topshop and the Model World: Stars on the Catwalk
Hardly any British fashion brand has consistently relied on genuine collaborations with models and stars as much as Topshop. This collaboration was not just a pure marketing strategy — it has culturally shaped the brand.
For aspiring models in Germany and the United Kingdom, Topshop campaigns used to be a career goal: visible, affordable for customers, yet still associated with real prestige.
Kate Moss as Guest Designer
One of the smartest moves in Topshop’s history: hiring Kate Moss as a guest designer. Moss is considered one of the greatest style icons in the British fashion universe — and her look is inseparably linked to the British-Chic that Topshop embodies. The collections Moss designed for Topshop were commercially extremely successful and significantly enhanced the brand’s cultural relevance.
What this means for models: a good collaboration between a brand and a model creates a win-win situation. The model gives the brand authenticity, the brand gives the model reach. Exactly this is the principle behind successful model collaborations — whether on this level or on a smaller scale.
Beyoncé: Ivy Park for Topshop
2016 Beyoncé launched her sportswear collection „Ivy Park“ exclusively for Topshop — a global media event. The collection included everything from sports bras to leggings and streetwear basics in a well-thought-out, athletic aesthetic. This was not a classic celebrity endorsement, but rather her own design line — and it sold out immediately.
Kendall and Kylie Jenner
In 2015, Kendall and Kylie Jenner launched their first joint collection „Kendall & Kylie“ for Topshop. Flowing fabrics, Californian prints and a relaxed lifestyle — a counterpoint to the typically British Topshop aesthetic, yet perfectly tailored to the target audience.
Well-known Collaborations with Designers
Topshop was strongest when it took collaborations with designers from high fashion seriously. Among the most important collaborations are:
- Christopher Kane — elegant, conceptual pieces at Topshop prices
- Celia Birtwell — floral prints and the floral aesthetic of the Swinging Sixties
- David Koma — structured bodycon designs, body-conscious and glamorous
- Mario Schwab — feminine silhouettes with modern rigidity
- Alexander McQueen — dramatic, artistic, unforgettable
Topshop Jeans: Cult status in the denim category
Topshop has created true classic models in the denim category. These jeans represent the Topshop style:
Jamie Jeans: The tight classic
The Jamie Jeans is a tight skinny silhouette with a high waist and minimalist finish. For years, it was one of the best-selling Topshop products worldwide — proof of how classic fits remain timeless and relevant.
Mom Jeans: Comeback with cult status
Topshop helped shape the Mom Jeans trend. The loose fit with a high waist, distressed washes, knee rips, and raw edges is a true Topshop signature look. To this day, this fit is imitated by other brands.
Joni Jeans: Super tight cult jeans
The Joni Jeans is even tighter than the Jamie — a true tights silhouette in denim. In various washes and finishes (including leather look), the Joni was the definitive Topshop denim moment of the 2010s.
Topshop supports young talents: NewGen and Fashion East
Topshop was one of the few high-street labels that actively invested in the development of young talent in the fashion industry. The two programs NewGen and Fashion East enabled emerging designers to present their work at London Fashion Week — with financial support from Topshop.
That was more than marketing: It was a real investment in the British fashion industry. Models who walked for these up-and-coming designers gained valuable catwalk experience early on and were often discovered by bigger brands. The
Der Flagship-Store am Oxford Circus
The most famous Topshop store in the world is located at Oxford Circus in London — with around 8,400 square meters across five floors, one of the largest fashion stores in the world. The store offered:
- A runway for regular shows and events
- To have your own hair salon
- Several restaurants and cafés
- Personal-Shopping-Service
- Exclusive products available only here
The Oxford Circus Store was more than a department store — it was an experience, a tangible brand promise. Models booked for Topshop shows or in-store events enjoyed the stage at London’s central fashion department store.
Topshop today: The new owner and the online future
After the bankruptcy of parent company Arcadia Group in 2020, Asos bought the Topshop brand and its online inventory. Since then, Topshop has primarily operated as an online label — a sign of the times. Brick-and-mortar retail is under pressure, digital brands are rising. Topshop has undergone this transformation earlier than many competitors — albeit under painful circumstances.
What Topshop means for models and castings
Topshop was one of the most well-known labels for up-and-coming models in Europe. Campaign jobs, catalog shoots, and runway appearances for Topshop were considered career-boosting and visible. Anyone moving within this segment as a model should be prepared for
The most important factors for castings at brands of this size:
- Professional
Sedcard with current photos - Experience in e-commerce or lifestyle shootings
- Height in the range of 175–185 cm (women), 183–195 cm (men)
- Natural, adaptable presence for brand campaigns
Q&A about Topshop
Does Topshop still exist?
Yes — Topshop continues as an online brand. Since its acquisition by Asos, the brand has been carried forward digitally. There are currently no physical stores on a large scale.
Who founded Topshop?
Topshop was established in 1964 as a sub-brand of Peter Robinson, a British retailer. After Peter Robinson went into receivership, Topshop became independent and developed into a cult brand.
What is the style of Topshop?
British High Street meets London Fashion Week — this is the core of the Topshop style. Modern, urban, affordable, but with a clear reference to current fashion. Not purely mass-produced, but also not luxury.
Who has modeled for Topshop?
Topshop had a wide range of models — from supermodels like Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell to new faces from the London up-and-coming scene. This is the real Topshop advantage: The brand was attractive to well-known names but also open to new talents.
Brands like Topshop: Similar Labels in Comparison
Asos: British Online Fashion
Asos has acquired Topshop and now distributes the brand digitally. As its own brand, Asos is also strong in the British high-street market and positions itself similarly: young, diverse, urban, affordable. More about Asos: Asos — Dress, Fisherman Hat and Nike Air Force
Zara: Spanish Competitor with a Global Footprint
Zara operates in a similar price segment, but has a different cultural DNA. While Topshop is British and urban, Zara is international and fast in collection changes. More on this: Zara — Brand and Fashion Style
Fashion Brands: The Big Overview
Topshop is one of hundreds of fashion brands that shape the global fashion market. Those who want to dive deeper into the world of fashion brands will find all important labels in an overview, categorized by style, origin, and price range.
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