Editors' Top Reads: News from John Lewis, Topshop and London College of Fashion
Here are some of this week’s news and features highlights handpicked by TheIndustry.fashion team.
Topshop’s second act: Experts reveal how it can win over the high street
If you're in your late 20s, you'll know Topshop wasn’t just a fashion brand - it was a movement. Take it from me, a Millennial, who was in her teenage prime during Topshop's heyday. For many Millennials, like myself, it was the backdrop to formative fashion moments: the first pair of skinny jeans, the hunt for the perfect party dress, the pilgrimage to Oxford Circus. But as the high street continues to evolve and Topshop prepares for its comeback under new ownership, it’s facing a much more complex landscape - and a new generation of shoppers who may not hold the same nostalgic ties.
Last month, Topshop took to social media platform Instagram with a series of three posts that spelled out "We've missed you too". This was the confirmation that fans of Topshop had all been waiting for: it's back.
So far, it's looking likely that the beloved British retailer is headed back to the high street, but which one, however, remains a mystery. As its new owner, Bestseller, prepares to make waves in the industry, I am bracing myself for its return. Can it live up to my nostalgic memories? Will I ever relive the days of Topshop's Joni jeans and John Lennon emblazoned tees?
I spoke to fashion and retail experts to get their opinions on whether Topshop can take back the high street and how it needs to go about appealing to its OG customers as well as garnering Gen Zers.
Read the full feature here to see what they had to say.
Chloé Burney, Senior New & Features Writer.
John Lewis rolls out repair service to all UK stores
It was good to hear that John Lewis is rolling out its repair service to all of its UK stores this week, following a successful trial in five stores last summer. The service will continue to be in partnership with Johnsons, a Timpson Group company, offering fashion repairs, alterations, dry cleaning and even handbag restoration.
I’m keen to give it a go at some point as I always seem to have something old knocking about in my wardrobe that I’d like to give new life to with a mend, or something new (albeit not very often these days!) that needs a slight alteration before it gets a debut wearing.
I do hope it is clearly signposted in-store at my nearest John Lewis in Kingston and that it is a swift and not too expensive service, as the chap I use locally for any mends and alterations seems to have seriously hiked up his prices this year. It’s made me reluctant to use him, or certainly think twice, which is not great as I do like to support local independent businesses where I can.
Maybe the cost is a widespread issue for people, as indicated by John Lewis also reporting that it is seeing a trend of increasing interest in at-home repairs, with haberdashery accessories up 36% year-on-year and searches for sewing machines up 50%. Or maybe it’s ‘The Great British Sewing Bee’ effect, which would be timely as series 11 starts on BBC One next month!
Tom Bottomley, Contributing Editor.
Visa teams up with LCF and Sophie Tea to search for UK’s next circular fashion stars
I first discovered Sophie Tea on TikTok, watching her transform charity shop finds into bold, expressive art. So, when her name popped up in collaboration with the London College of Fashion (LCF) in the search for the UK’s next circular fashion stars, I was instantly intrigued.
As part of its Young Creators series, Visa has teamed up with Tea and the London College of Fashion to launch the ‘Recycle the Runway’ initiative. This exciting project will award six talented finalists, including one grand prize winner, with individual grants from a total prize pool of £20,000.
The aim? To encourage creators to reimagine how they design, produce and sell fashion, making re-commerce (the regenerative way to buy, re-use and share goods and services) "desirable and habitual to accelerate economic growth".
Finalists will present their collections at a catwalk show in London on 22 May, judged by Tea alongside experts from Visa and the British fashion industry. I look forward to hearing about the winners!
Sophie Smith, News Editor & Senior Writer.
