Leather, lace, and
bright color exploded in the Savvy section of Nordstrom at NorthPark. All the
way from Britain, the multinational retailer, Topshop, just opened its flagship
store, featuring affordable trendy clothing, shoes, make-up, and accessories.
Topshop has around 440 stores across 37 countries worldwide and is now, for the first time, in Dallas. NorthPark will host a launch party on Oct. 19, to celebrate the opening.
Topshop began its partnership with Nordstrom in September 2012 and is only growing. Fourteen Topshop departments opened last fall, and now Nordstrom is planning on adding an additional 28.
“We’re very optimistic about expanding our Topshop partnership. Dallas has a great fashion scene and Topshop has a huge cult following all around the world,” Topshop Department Manager at Nordstrom NorthPark Center, Julie Bachleda, said. “This will be the only place in Dallas you can find Topshop without ordering it online.”
The British-born brand began in 1964 and has continued its success since then. Topshop started in the basement of a London department store, only to become one of the most sought-after destinations for chic, reasonably priced items. Its cool-girl aesthetic is now recognized all over the world. According to Topshop’s website, us.topshop.com, in 2002 the store partnered with NEWGEN, a company that allows the discovery of new design talent, providing a pathway for aspiring designers.
The Topshop brand incorporates a number of lines that fuse together to form one electric British style collection – including Mainline, Premium, and Boutique. Mainline showcases mostly basics that also incorporate the season’s most popular styles. Premium is made up of limited edition designs, using more luxurious materials like silk, chiffon, and organza. Boutique includes more feminine shapes that are still very fashion-forward. Each category makes up the multi-faceted and world-renowned brand of Topshop. In addition, it has one last product called Unique, a high street fashion brand that is the only Topshop line to show at London’s Fashion Week. Topshop makes original products and gives high fashion a new meaning – which is why the Dallas opening means big things for Nordstrom.
Topshop brings a whole new audience to the department store and is the ultimate mecca for trendy fashion-lovers, including many celebrities. Katy Perry, Blake Lively, and style-icon Olivia Palermo have all been seen sporting Topshop gear. Therefore, it is no surprise that the opening in Dallas caused a lot of hype among young women, especially at SMU.
“I am very excited. I’ve been to Topshops all over the world and I love the clothes,” SMU senior Gen Richards said, “I think Dallas is very fashion-forward, just like Topshop, so it will be a huge success here.”
Topshop introduces a unique element to the Dallas shopping scene because it is very unexpected. Kira Plastinina, designer of the high-end fashion line LUBLU and a SMU student, recently opened one of her stores in Dallas. She chose Dallas because of its booming economic situation and its many opportunities for new businesses.
“Dallas is really a hidden gem for fashion, and I feel like now, more and more people start to realize that,” Plastinina said, “Over the past few years many high fashion brands including Alexander McQueen, Tom Ford, Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, among many others, entered the Dallas market, and this is not a coincidence.”
Consequently, it doesn’t seem accidental that Topshop now opened in Dallas, only adding to its diverse fashion scene.
“Dallas is also one of America’s most important places for art, and where there is art, there is fashion,” Plastinia also pointed out.
Even though Dallas proves to be one of the most fashion-thriving cities, Nordstrom first experimented with a test trial to see how Topshop merchandise would sell. The department store carried a few items, which, as expected, were immensely popular, eventually leading to the opening of Topshop’s own section.
“Topshop is from London and is the rage among all fashion lovers there – a major destination for all shoppers. The main store is always packed,” SMU senior and Londoner Tori DeClaris said, “The London style is very unique so it will be interesting to see what trend and styles are sold in the Dallas store.”
Bachleda said to expect it all. The section in Nordstrom at NorthPark carries clothing, accessories, shoes, and jewelry. It also has pieces from Topshop’s runway line, Unique, as well as select styles in petite sizes.
Topshop also attracts young women because of the low prices – it gives high fashion without the high cost, offering the hottest trends at an affordable price.
“Topshop allows us to hopefully reach out to customers who haven’t shopped with us before and bring great trend-led fashion to our current customers,” Bachleda said. “It is fun and fresh and fashion forward, plus it doesn’t break the bank!”
