Topshop returns to the catwalk after seven years in bid to reclaim the high street

Topshop, one of the most influential names in British high street fashion, is set to make a significant return with its first catwalk show in seven years. The showcase, scheduled just ahead of London Fashion Week in mid September, marks the brand’s ambition to reclaim relevance in a fashion landscape transformed since its heyday.

The return follows a turbulent period for Topshop, which saw the closure of its flagship Oxford Circus store in 2021 after its parent company Arcadia collapsed into administration. Acquired by Asos the same year, and with a majority stake bought by Danish billionaire Anders Holch Povlsen in 2024, Topshop’s new ownership is banking on both nostalgia and evolution to revive the brand. The catwalk event, likely to feature high profile campaign star Cara Delevingne, is open to the public and signals a commitment to re engaging with customers both old and new.

Retail observers note that Topshop’s resurgence taps deep into the collective memory of millennials and older generation Z shoppers. The Oxford Circus store, opened in 1994, was described as an ‘immersive amusement park’ and a cultural touchstone for a generation. The atmosphere of browsing its 90000 square feet of trends made the shop both a social hub and a place of personal style discovery.

Recognising this, the company is laying the groundwork for standalone shops once more. Asos managing director Michelle Wilson recently confirmed ongoing plans for physical stores, underscoring the brand’s intent to balance bricks and mortar presence with its successful online relaunch. With a storied history that includes innovative collaborations with designers such as JW Anderson and Christopher Kane, and celebrities like Kate Moss, Topshop aims to recapture its reputation for creativity and accessible design.

Jane Shepherdson, who served as brand director during the label’s golden years, attributed the enduring draw of Topshop to the vision shared by its creative team. Instinct and courageous decision making led to ranges that exceeded customer expectations, from trend driven collections to now iconic shearling coats rarely seen on the high street at the time.

The renewed Topshop seeks to address today’s appetite for well designed but affordable clothing. Moving away from the rapid turnover ethos of fast fashion giants, planned price points hover around £50 for jeans and £100 for dresses, aiming to balance quality with inclusivity and contemporary values. This approach is also in line with greater supply chain scrutiny demanded by younger consumers, who prioritise ‘fashion with integrity’ and are attuned to environmental impact.

Topshop’s ability to recapture its former glory remains an open question. The brand must connect with a new generation emerging from a marketplace crowded with choice, while retaining the loyalty and nostalgia of those who remember its high street dominance. Eyes are on the forthcoming catwalk show as the first indicator of whether Topshop’s comeback can move beyond sentiment and establish itself as a vital force in British retail once more.