KATE MOSS FOR TOPSHOP

I always get really excited about Kate Moss's Topshop collections from the ads, only to be disappointed in store by the low-quality materials and bad fits. To be honest, I think the only Kate Moss items I have are ones I picked up in the sale for about £5 each. In contrast, I was very impressed by both Christopher Kane collaborations, and have quite a few pieces that I justified spending £75 on. Likewise, one of my favourite dresses of all time is an Alice McCall for Topshop number which has lasted several years. 'The High Street' cashmongers have tried to make high design available to the masses through these collaborations, but they need to remember that it is not just the brand name that fascinates the consumer, but the intense quality too.

I'm trying not to get my hopes up too much about this Spring/Summer collection which is rich in floaty, sheer, ethereal pieces . I think the video ad below is testament to how great the clothes really are; you can barely see them for the over-exposure and with Kate frolicking around close to the camera like she's in some narcotic trance.

Shame...

I still fantasise about one day owning this Kate Moss for Topshop dress.

Booted Not Suited

My toes used to reside exclusively in ballet pumps or knee high flat leather boots. Doc martens were popular with 'alternative' music types ie. outdated, or young children for their 'sturdy' tear-proof, water-proof qualities. So why on earth do i suddenly find myself lusting after a pair of hobnailed desert boots and retro Nike high-top trainers? But for once, unlike bulky shoulder pads which, as a returning trend, are entirely unexplainable, or harem pants, which I wore round India for no other reason but modesty and called my 'saggy nappies', these shoe styles are amazingly practical. They are the cool clubber's footwear of choice, a wipe-clean, dance-all-night shoe that simply sweeps all those Topshop Boutique platforms completely off the board.

The Cobrasnake

PS: I couldn't go without mentioning the insane Ava 'Burberry-esque' topshop boots, utterly a la Grace

Topshop + Kane 4eva

You can now preview Christopher Kane's collection for Topshop here, courtesy of NY magazine's The Cut. Excuse me, but why do New Yorkers get a sneak peak at our BRITISH designer's collection for our BRITISH national treasure that is Topshop? Beyond me.

In a recent interview with Grazia's Melanie Rickey, Kane revealed he is almost as excited as is fans about his second venture for Topshop (his first capsule collection for the store was after the success of his S/S 07 catwalk collection):

"It's proper: with bags, shoes, knitwear and dresses. It's nothing like any other work I've done in the past. Everything is a bit "wow". There might be some colour, some embellishment. It's full of surprises. Put it this way we did the designs, sent away our drawings and when the samples came back last week they looked brilliant. Girls are gonna go crazy for it!'

And he's right, it is very 'wow', with lots of studs, rivets and even mirrorwork on his signature bodycon dresses, and a palette of the richest black with some gorgeous bright pastel yellows and pinks. Dedicated fans will notice the 'roaring' crocodile print dress and t-shirt echoes the much-exposed gorilla print tee of his S/S collection this year, as well as the mesh studded knickers which no doubt will be snapped up by more than one Lady Gaga wannabe this September.