A little store named Topshop and Topman opened to Canadian shoppers inside the Bay at Yorkdale Shopping Centre on Wednesday, October 5th. Of course, I say “little” to contrast the fashion phenomena and reverent following Topshop has amassed among shoppers since its beginnings in 1964, followed by the creation of Topman in 1978.

In addition, long-time design collaborations with supermodel, Kate Moss, designers such as Marios Schwab and British artist, Stella Vine are just some of the components making Topshop and Topman a favourite among shopaholics in Britain and around the world.

I was invited on Tuesday to the exclusive media preview of Topshop and Topman, built as a store within a store concept, and was completely blown away by the product choices, appearance and set-up. The shop is over 15,000 square feet and takes up two floors of the Bay; Topman on the first floor and Topshop on the second floor. 

Dashing in from work, I arrived towards the ends of the media preview and immediately went straight to the shoe section. Throughout the day people were tweeting pictures of the store, particularly of the shoes, and I was getting anxious to see the wears myself – I was not to be disappointed.

The moment I arrived in the Topshop shoe section I stood there dumbfounded, looking wide-eyed at the massive shoe wall. I didn’t know what to do or where to start taking pictures; there were so many colours, heels and styles that momentarily all the shoes blended into one giant collage – eventually, I came to my senses and took a ton of pictures of the footwear and of course tried on many heels.

I have to really applaud the design team at Topshop; they have done an amazing job creating footwear in a variety of colours, styles and shapes at reasonable price-points for all customers; ranging from $30 for a ballet flat to $130 for a suede wedge platform.

Footwear listed just over $100 is well worth the price consisting of leather on the inner and outer. As you browse the shoe wall, each pair is displayed in different sizes giving shoppers increased freedom to quickly slip on the shoe which catches their interest.

Like the footwear, clothing choices for men and women run the spectrum from a whimsy graphic t-shirt to a conservative trendy cream knit cardigan. There are also a ton of accessories; handbags, costume jewellery, hats and scarves to create multiple trendy looks.

If you’re unable to visit Yorkdale Shopping Centre, you can shop the Topshop and Topman collections online at www.thebay.com/topshop and www.thebay.com/topman.

Image gallery #1 courtesy of Topshop +Topman: pictures #1-4.
Image gallery #2 courtesy of Topshop +Topman: pictures #1.

The Bay held a kick-off party at its Queen Street store late last week to celebrate the launch of its Topman capsule collection prior to the official Topshop and Topman store opening at Yorkdale Mall on October 5, 2011.

The Topman capsule collection concentrates on providing casual and semi-dressy wear for men such as corduroy pants, sports jackets and graphic t-shirts. Footwear consisted of brogues in black and brown with the occasional pop of colour, as seen in a pair of orange suede shoes.

In keeping with the excitement and free-spirit of the Topshop and Topman brand, a ping-pong tournament and photo booth kept a playful energy going throughout the night.

Over the last few years I’ve been in a TOPSHOP store in three cities – London, Tokyo and Toronto – and my experiences in each of these locations were very different.

My first encounter with TOPSHOP was in London, England, in 2006. I entered a two storey building and immediately felt overwhelmed; clothes, shoes and accessories were everywhere. I didn’t stay in that store very long and left without purchasing a thing, feeling disappointed that the hype didn’t match my first experience.

That same year TOPSHOP came to Tokyo, Japan. At the time, the space was contemporary and minimalistic. The clothes were carefully selected, however, it was sparse in appearance and didn’t have enough items to choose from – very different from the shop in London.

Earlier this month I was invited by Jonathan+Olivia, the exclusive retailer of TOPSHOP in Canada, to view the “arrival of the last seasonal Kate Moss for TOPSHOP collection, TOPSHOP make-up and TOPMAN” lines in their store. It was my first time visiting the Toronto arm of TOPSHOP and there is a great mix of merchandise for men and women, alongside other brands such as Surface to Air, Rag&Bone and Alexander Wang.

TOPSHOP make-up

The TOPSHOP make-up in store contains basics, such as concealer, lipstick and then some. I was particularly drawn to the cream to powder blushes and various nail polish gift sets.

Of course, any visit to a clothing store would not be complete without being tempted to drop a wad of cash on a few items. Two  things I really wanted to buy was a wool buckle cape with fleece collar and faux leather trim, and a black feather cape – how I walked away without purchasing both beats the heck out of me.

Image gallery three: images #1-3 from TOPSHOP

It’s that time of year when the annual office holiday parties begin. Those of us who are lucky have their company party during work hours, but others have to endure the slight torture (or annoyance) of finding an evening outfit to wear and plus a date.

To provide a little help, I’ve chosen six holiday dresses of varying price points and styles which may inspire you to rework something from your wardrobe or motivate you to buy. Enjoy!

Alexander McQueen, wool-crepe pleated shoulder dress

French Connection, starlight knit sparkle dress

Lanvin, 22 Faubourg dress

LK Bennett, Wildeve dress

Moulinette Soueurs, stilled night dress

Topshop, queen maxi dress

Images from Anthrolopologie, Far Fetch, French Connection, LK Bennett, Topshop

Lately I’ve had a thing for accessories – shoes of course – that come in neutral colours. This could be a phase I’m going through, but mostly it’s because I have my eyes out for purchases for the coming fall and these mellow laser cut peeptoe booties from Topshop are very cool shoes in the interim.

Shoe specifications:

• Outer, leather
• Colour, blue
• Heel height, unknown (but probably a few centimetres)

Why I chose this shoe: although Topshop’s product description says these shoes are blue I honestly think it's grey. The triangle laser cut outs create a whimsical feel and simultaneously provides air conditioning for your feet! I love it when you can kill two birds with one stone ;)

For its spring 2010 collection, British retailer, Topshop has tapped the talent of designer Louise Golden to create several shoes which make a very strong and almost deadly fashion statement.

Shoe specifications:

• Colours: black, silver and white
• Heel height, 6 inches
• Outer – patent leather, metallic studs and spikes (material unknown)
• Release date and price TBD

Why I chose these shoes: these shoes aren’t for everyone and may not give you the sudden urge to run to the nearest Topshop store and purchase them (for me that would be in New York City). However, these studded/spiked bad boys make you stop and think about where Goldin drew her inspiration when she designed this collection of footwear – they’re sexual, provocative and slightly sadistic in appearance.

Part of Goldin’s inspiration can be attributed with the explosion of the BDSM (bondage, discipline, submission and masochism) in fashion within the past year-and-a-half. The rise of this subculture into the mainstream; in music videos, clothes, make-up and footwear demystifies its hidden qualities making BDSM acceptable and accessible to the masses, in other words commercialized.

These shoes carry dual perceptions; first, its six inch heel modifies a women’s posture making her appear more seductive, taller and legs longer. On the other hand the armour-like studs and sharp spikes turns them into a lethal weapon.

Would you wear these shoes?