KATE MOSS DESIGNS AT LASTIT'S true – Kate Moss has officially turned her hand to design for the first time, having agreed to create a line for TopShop - so that's what she and Philip Green were talking about in the front row of the TopShop Unique show on Sunday. Kate Moss for TopShop will debut at all 308 of the company's stores, as well as on www.topshop.com in the spring next year. No word on how much she has been paid to do it but we guess her estimated £30 million pay packet this year just got a good deal more impressive. (September 20 2006, AM)
The rumor is now a reality. Kate Moss is due to start work at Topshop on Thursday. "She just said, 'I want to be one of the guys,'" explained Jane Shepherdson, Topshop's brand director. She, Kate, and the girls from the team will get round the table and start brainstorming what shape the label will be take. "She's talked about bringing in vintage things and stuff she likes, which is pretty much the way we work anyway," Shepherdson said. "It'll probably be a collection of pieces—a Kate jean, bag, shoe, boot, things that will always be there—and then a couple of collections a season. All we really know is, it's got to be big, and it has to be in store all the time. It won't be like other high-street designer collaborations." And, she adds, "It will be global, no question."
The collection will hit Topshop stores in April next year. Look also for an internationally accessible Topshop web site to be up and running soon.
—Sarah Mower
I'm so happy to read this! I only wish the designs will match Kate's fantastic taste and style. Still, I believe she knows what she's risking and in view of a longtime collaboration (and perhaps a future career), won't decide on anything mediocre. Although there is no TopShop in my country, I'll count on ebay or the on-line store.
oh great more people dressing like kate moss. i have to say she has amaizing taste so i wont start creaming things like she's a model not a designer! just yet
Topshop today will unveil a long-term agreement with the supermodel under which she will help create and design an exclusive collection for the British fast-fashion retailer. The collection, Kate Moss for Topshop, will debut at the company's 308 stores and on its Web site in spring 2007.
"We want to build this into a global brand," Sir Philip Green, owner of Topshop's parent, Arcadia Group plc, told WWD in an interview. "She is a fashion icon in terms of the U.K., probably the best-known model, and is what Topshop is all about in terms of fashion. Our customers identify with her."
Moss said in a statement, "I have always been a big fan of Topshop and regularly shop there. I love what they stand for and am very excited at the thought of working with them. It's going to be great fun."
"If we do this right, then it should be a successful global brand," Green said. "We will put real energy behind it on both sides. In fact, Kate's first day in the office will be Thursday. She already joked about where her office will be."
Green personally negotiated the deal after he said he met Moss and she told him, "I think we should do something together."
As the discussions continued, Green said neither he nor Moss wanted for her simply to be the face of Topshop.
"She told me what she likes about Topshop, and that she's always shopped there," he explained. "It's her market, appeals to her, and what she wears and represents in terms of fashion is what we're trying to do with the brand to position it in a slightly different place. She knows fashion, and said what she wanted to do was to put more of her ideas into the business because she knows what people like to wear. She believes she can bring value to Topshop if she works with our designers to create a collection."
Moss will appear in only the occasional ad for the brand, stressed Green, adding that most campaigns will feature other models. Her main role will be to give advice on what the collection should look like and what trends should be included.
"She will come in for a few hours every other day or so, set the inspiration for the line, and then our designers will interpret that," Green said. "She knows what the trends are, she likes shopping and she will provide the ethos as to where we should position the line. She will be in the engine room helping to steer the collection."
Kate Moss for Topshop will cover a variety of categories, including ready-to-wear, accessories and footwear, Green said.
Logic dictates the Kate Moss bag, the Kate Moss jean, the Kate Moss boot,'' he said. "There will be specialized things on the one hand and then perhaps more basic things on the other."
Prices have not been decided, nor has where the collection will fit price-wise with other Topshop lines.
"She is a very casual girl," Green said. "Kate could do a great T-shirt at 10 quid [$19] and a fabulous jean at 60 pounds [$114]. It's the new world we are in — the top end on the one hand and our end on the other. This is the right time to do something like this."
Topshop is eager to expand internationally, including in the U.S. Green initially wanted to have a flagship in New York by spring 2007, but a lawsuit over rights to the Topshop brand in America delayed that plan. After settling the suit last month, the billionaire retail mogul has renewed his search for a flagship site in the U.S.
His goal is to have a store open by fall 2007. The unit will aim to replicate Topshop's flagship on Oxford Street here, and will be 60,000 to 90,000 square feet.
Green said he may consider opening corners in department stores in the U.S., particularly with the Kate Moss for Topshop collection. Meanwhile, Topshop is working on a new Web site that will enable global e-commerce. The revamped site should be completed in time for the launch of the Kate Moss line.
its great for topshop, this should sell extremely well. but, to be honest it will probably look like typical topshop because they take so much influence from ms. moss
its interesting to see how people that usually 'hate' 'cellebrity designers' fall for Kate's future line.. isn't she just another celebrity designer then?
i suspect she will basically 'edit'/direct and not design/sketch/make patterns and yes, i wonder how 'different' this will be to TS's usual stuff..
anyway, good luck to miss Moss, hope it will keep her a bit focused
Woah I'm really excited about this as I really love her fashion sense though I'm really not sure if her collection will turn out this great...I certainly hope so but let's see...
THat's what I thought too! Like she's going to be a cashier or something
I wonder what would actually boost sales more. Just imagine all the people that would go and buy stuff in topshop just for the chance to be able to see her.
KATE MOSS DESIGNS AT LAST
(ie, Tara Subkoff)
i have to say she has amaizing taste so i wont start creaming things like she's a model not a designer! just yet
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