Topshop teases August high street return with May pop-up
After stirring up buzz about Millennial-adorned Topshop's return to the high street, the retailer is stepping 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 celebrates the launch of the brand’s new summer-ready Talamanca collection and a limited-edition T-shirt collaboration with DEFECTED - marking a major moment for the label ahead of its full-scale return to physical retail this August.
The pop-up takes place on Saturday, 10 May at DEFECTED’s Basement on Curtain Road, Shoreditch. Entry is free with a valid ticket—but even if you missed out on booking ahead, walk-ups are welcome on the day (subject to capacity), with plenty of fashion, music and energy to go around.
Straying from a traditional retail setup, Topshop In The House merges fashion, music and lifestyle. Shoppers can expect curated edits of the Talamanca collection, exclusive Topshop x DEFECTED merch, exclusively available at the event. Topshop advised: "We've worked hard to ensure there's plenty of stock for the pop-up edit and have done our best to include a wide range of styles and sizes. That said, it's a busy time and some popular items may sell out quickly".
Can’t find your size on the rail? Don’t stress, every item includes a QR code for easy online ordering via ASOS. Just note that while online returns follow ASOS’s usual policy, all pop-up purchases are final sale.
In an effort to win the hearts and minds of younger generations, particularly Gen Z, the brand is delving into experiential retail. At the pop-up, DJ sets from DEFECTED's Olive F will soundtrack the day, alongside cocktails courtesy of MOTH and a full Glam Bar for on-the-spot beauty touch-ups.
While the event is strictly limited to one day, the message is clear: Topshop is back with a bang.
Topshop exited the high street after the collapse of its owner, Arcadia Group in late 2020. In March 2021, ASOS purchased Topshop and Topman, the former jewels in the crown of the conglomerate's empire, for £265 million. The deal involved the purchase of the brand and online business only, resulting in the closure of all of Topshop and Topman's physical retail 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.
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. And just like that, Topshop is headed back to the high street, however, not how you'd expect.
Last month, ASOS CEO José Antonio Ramos Calamonte said that Topshop's trend-led clothing will soon be available in select partner retailers’ stores as part of a broader plan rather than flagship stores.
