We already knew Topshop would be coming back to the high street in a deal with John Lewis, but we didn’t know how fast it would happen.
Topshop
When the partnership was announced a little while ago, the two flagged a February debut but now ASOS (which still part-owns and fully manages Topshop) has said it’s launching pop-ups in John Lewis as early as 3 November.
Why the rush? Well, ASOS said Topshop is “responding to demand from eager fans” ahead of the full launch later in 32 John Lewis stores.
The pop-ups won’t be in all 32 branches, however. Instead, Topshop will be available in four stores across the country with pop-ups taking centre stage on the womenswear floor of John Lewis’s London Oxford Street flagship, plus the Bristol, Leeds, and Liverpool stores.
Each pop-up will feature a curated selection of around 30 “fashion-forward pieces, changing weekly. Expect statement outerwear, iconic denim, cult knits and must-have partywear”. For those who can’t get to the stores, it will all be available via the John Lewis app too.
The company said that to celebrate its residency, the first 100 customers in each store will receive a Topshop tote bag, with further giveaways planned throughout the six-week takeover.
And fitting with Topshop’s Oxford Circus flagship history, the John Lewis Oxford Street Topshop pop-up will host weekly DJ Sessions every Thursday evening from 13 November. Each week, a guest DJ will be “bringing live music and energy to shoppers in-store”.
ASOS certainly can’t be accused of going low-key with this Topshop revival having already staged a runway takeover of Trafalgar Square and opened in a space in upmarket department store Liberty. And it seems to be paying off so far.
Michelle Wilson, MD of Topshop, said: “We’ve seen an incredible response to Topshop’s return, and we know our customers are excited to shop the brand in person again. By taking our Winter and Party collections beyond London, the Topshop pop-ups bring our signature energy and style to locations across the UK, just in time for the festive season.”
Running through to Christmas, the pop-ups offer a seasonal snapshot of Topshop’s collection, and include “elevated essentials”, as well as “directional denim and statement pieces that channel the brand’s unmistakable attitude”.
Rachel Morgans, director of fashion at John Lewis, added that the retailer has been “listening to how excited [customers] are for Topshop’s return, so as their sole nationwide partner, this felt like the perfect moment for a ‘teaser’ pop-up. It’s an exciting glimpse of what’s to come next year”.
As mentioned, in February, the brand will launch in 32 John lewis stores, with Topman being available in six of them.
Burberry has named a new chief operating and supply chain officer as well as a new chief customer officer. They’re both key roles at the recovering luxury giant and both are being promoted from within.
Matteo Calonaci becomes chief operating and supply chain officer, moving from his role as senior vice-president of strategy and transformation at the firm.
In his new role, he’ll be oversee supply chain and planning, strategy and transformation, and data and analytics. He succeeds Klaus Bierbrauer, who’s currently Burberry supply chain and industrial officer. Bierbrauer will be leaving the company following its winter show and a transition period.
Matteo Calonaci – Burberry
Meanwhile, Johnattan Leon steps up as chief customer officer. He’s currently currently Burberry’s senior vice-president of commercial and chief of staff. In his new role he’ll be leading Burberry’s customer, client engagement, customer service and retail excellence teams, while also overseeing its digital, outlet and commercial operations.
Both Calonaci and Leon will join the executive committee, reporting to Company CEO Joshua Schulman.
JohnattanLeon – Burberry
Schulman said of the two execs that the appointments “reflect the exceptional talent and leadership we have at Burberry. Both Matteo and Johnattan have been instrumental in strengthening our focus on executional excellence and elevating our customer experience. Their deep understanding of our business, our people, and our customers gives me full confidence that their leadership will help drive [our strategy] Burberry Forward”.
Traditional and occasion wear designer Puneet Gupta has stepped into the world of fine jewellery with the launch of ‘Deco Luméaura,’ a collection designed to blend heritage and contemporary aesthetics while taking inspiration from the dramatic landscapes of Ladakh.
Hints of Ladakh’s heritage can be seen in this sculptural evening bag – Puneet Gupta
“For me, Deco Luméaura is an exploration of transformation- of material, of story, of self,” said Puneet Gupta in a press release. “True luxury isn’t perfect; it is intentional. Every piece is crafted to be lived with and passed on.”
The jewellery collection features cocktail rings, bangles, chokers, necklaces, and statement evening bags made in recycled brass and finished with 24 carat gold. The stones used have been kept natural to highlight their imperfect and unique forms and each piece in the collection has been hammered, polished, and engraved by hand.
An eclectic mix of jewels from the collection – Puneet Gupta
Designed to function as wearable art pieces, the colourful jewellery echoes the geometry of Art Deco while incorporating distinctly South Asian imagery such as camels, butterflies, and tassels. Gupta divides his time between his stores in Hyderabad and Delhi and aims to bring Indian artistry to a global audience while crafting a dialogue between designer and artisan.
A look inside the salon of the French luxury house’s new Vienna store. – CELINE
The 150-square-metre luxury boutique in Vienna spans three storeys. It showcases the latest womenswear and menswear collections, beauty, fragrances, and Maison pieces. From the outside, the flagship impresses with a listed façade of sculpted marble, paired with large, dark-framed, floor-to-ceiling windows.
Inside, natural stone prevails, with materials such as Grand Antique marble combined with travertine. Basaltina flooring laid throughout features a French-inspired chevron pattern. The sense of luxury is heightened by ultra-clear mirrors- some finished in antique gold- neon lighting, and polished metal.
On the ground floor, womenswear is presented, beginning with accessories, leather goods, beauty products, and fragrances. This is followed by the ready-to-wear area.
A staircase with cantilevered steps, inspired by minimalism, leads to the first floor, where the menswear collections are presented. The scheme here is darker overall, with black-lacquered walls and a selection of timbers that contrast with the lighter woods in the other areas.
A look inside the luxury boutique. – CELINE
An intimate salon on the second floor, accessible exclusively via a private lift, expands the store and includes an enlarged fitting room.
Throughout the store and its numerous lounge areas, the furnishings comprise a selection of vintage and contemporary pieces. As part of the ongoing Celine Art Project, a curated selection of artworks is on display with a stoneware composition by Anders Hald, a painting by Jasmine Gregory, and sculptures by Rosalind Tallmadge and Marcelo Silveira.
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