It wasn\u2019t until look 17 that I spied her\u2014although I wasn\u2019t totally sure. The last time might have been in a regional nightclub in the mid aughts, or weaving through a busy high street. But here she was, ensconced in a faux fur dalmatian print scarf, walking with purpose through London\u2019s Trafalgar Square. Was it Joni, or was it Jamie?<\/p>\n
Well, whichever of the denim demigods that once defined many a British millennial wardrobe it was, she marked a key tenet in the big comeback parade<\/a> of Topshop (and Topman). The once beloved British retail giant made its big return on a muggy August Saturday, its first runway show in seven years.<\/p>\n Photo: Dave Benett<\/p>\n The catwalk show featured both Topshop and Topman designs for fall winter 2025, on a cast of new and some unsigned models scouted by Wilhelmina Models London in an open casting call. With the National Portrait Gallery as its backdrop and the iconic Topshop doubledecker bus in the fore, most pieces shown were \u2018see now, buy now\u2019 with others from a forthcoming drop on topshop.com, which launched a day previous. The show soundtrack started with Doechii\u2019s \u201cAnxiety\u201d and Beyonc\u00e9, as well as the city\u2019s own Skepta and SAULT.<\/p>\n The Topshop looks included several pieces from Cara Delevingne\u2019s edit, like a pea green faux fur maxi coat and a borg patchwork coat, and a pleated, oversized gray suit. There was a suite of denim, from the aforementioned high-rise, skinny-fit Jamie and Joni jeans\u2014the tides have truly been turning again toward the slimmer denim silhouette<\/a> they once defined\u2014and an embellished utility jumpsuit. There were kooky combos of Prada-esque pillbox hats, Ferragamo-style sculptural heels, and Valentino\u2019s jewel-toned palette in the form of faux leather bomber jackets and skirt suits, while a red moto jacket over a long-trained, red sequin gown gave elevated indie sleaze. There were polka tights beneath an arpeggiated hem polka dot skirt, dalmatian and cow prints, colors of aubergine, chocolate, and inky navy.<\/p>\n