In History: How Topshop defined a generation and why its return could shape fashion’s future
Once a rite of passage for every British teen (myself included) and the crown jewel of the high street, Topshop was more than just a store; it was a cultural institution. From Kate Moss campaigns to Oxford Street queues, the brand defined cool-girl fashion for decades.
If you're a Millennial like myself, you'll remember the pilgrimage into town to Topshop's Oxford Circus store, which could swallow you up for an entire day and spit you out around closing time. It was a mini city in itself, hosting own-brand lines on the ground and first floor, the latest footwear at Office, and of course EAT café - where I'd often have a tuna melt pit stop to refuel before tackling third-party brands on the lower ground floor. But all this came to an abrupt stop when Topshop met an untimely end in the early 2020s.
Its demise marked the closing of a significant chapter in UK fashion retail, but the legacy of Topshop still echoes across trend cycles, celebrity wardrobes and second-hand sites.
As the Millennial and Gen Z-loved brand ramps up its revival and teases its return to the high street, TheIndustry.fashion pays homage to the brand that once ruled the high street - looking back at Topshop’s key moments, from its swinging '60s roots to its digital resurrection under ASOS.
Topshop Oxford Circus (Anthony Devlin/PA)
Timeline:
1964: Originally launched as a youth section within the Sheffield department store Peter Robinson by Raymond Montague Burton, "Top Shop" targeted the emerging generation of mod-influenced, style-conscious young women.
1974: The standalone Topshop brand was officially formed under the Burton Group (later Arcadia). It quickly became known for its trend-led, affordable fashion.
1994: Topshop opened its now-iconic Oxford Circus flagship, complete with DJ booths, in-house nail bars, and a reputation as a fashion pilgrimage site for tourists and teens alike.
2002: Philip Green acquired Arcadia Group, including Topshop, for £850 million.
2005: The first Kate Moss for Topshop collection launched in 2007 (which was announced in 2006), elevating the brand to new heights. Shoppers queued overnight to get their hands on the supermodel-designed pieces.
2009: Topshop became the first high street brand to show at London Fashion Week, debuting its premium Topshop Unique line. It remained a fixture on the LFW schedule for nearly a decade.
Topshop's models, backstage at London Fashion Week (PA Media)
2014: Beyoncé and Sir Philip Green launched a 50/50 joint venture called Parkwood Topshop Athletic Ltd, which would later become her Ivy Park activewear label.
2016: The Ivy Park line debuted, but by 2018 Beyoncé had taken full ownership of the brand and severed ties with Arcadia.
2020: In November 2020, Arcadia Group entered administration after years of declining sales and arguably outdated digital infrastructure.
Topshop Oxford Circus, 2017
2021: In February 2021, ASOS purchased the Topshop, Topman, Miss Selfridge and HIIT brands for £330 million. This included £265 million for the brands and £65 million for current and future stock. Crucially, the deal excluded physical retail - marking the end of Topshop stores.
ASOS rolled the e-commerce sites into its own online platform. Although this kept the brand from fading into the abyss, it has arguably not been the same since.
2024: In October 2024, ASOS sold Topshop and Topman to a joint venture led by Heartland, which represents ASOS shareholder Anders Holch Povlsen and his fashion business Bestseller. As soon as the news broke, speculation stirred that the brand was headed back to the high street.
Topshop’s dormant Instagram account then posted cryptic teasers featuring the caption "not gone, just changing", sparking speculation about a full relaunch. Social media and fashion forums buzzed with nostalgia-fuelled excitement.
2025: In February, ASOS named Michelle Wilson as Managing Director of Topshop and Topman, a key move in reshaping the brand’s future.
In March, the moment we'd all been waiting for - ever since Topshop shuttered its doors in 2020 - arrived. The beloved British retailer began teasing its return to the high street after taking to Instagram with a series of three posts that spelt out "We've missed you too".
View this post on Instagram
In April, ASOS CEO José Antonio Ramos Calamonte confirmed that Topshop's trend-led clothing will soon be available in select partner retailers’ stores as part of a broader plan to revive the beloved British brand. It was official, Topshop was headed back to the high street. However, he clarified: "I’m not talking about a standalone store. We haven’t ruled out anything. Of course not."
In May, the retailer stepped back into real-life retail with a one-day pop-up in partnership with dance label DEFECTED Records. Dubbed 'Topshop In The House', the event celebrated the launch of the brand’ summer-ready Talamanca collection.
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- Topshop SS25
In July, Topshop announced its London Fashion Week Show would be returning in August. This followed an announcement that the retailer was adding Printempts, Magasin and McElhinneys to its list of stockists. But it didn't stop there. In the space of a week, it also revealed that its standalone website, separate from ASOS, was relaunching on 16 August with a collaborative collection created in partnership with model Cara Delevigne.
Whether it’s nostalgic early 2000s references or a new generation discovering the thrill of affordable fashion with flair, Topshop’s influence endures. As the brand ramps up its revival, its return marks a new chapter not just for Topshop, but for the future of revived high street icons.
One thing is certain: Topshop isn’t just a brand of the past, it’s gearing up to be worn again.
