Topshop Melbourne

Update: The grand opening date for the Sydney Topshop flagship has been set for Thursday the 4th of October, so save the date shoppers! We will be attending a media preview of the space on the morning of the 3rd, so be sure to check in with us tomorrow to get all of the necessary deets before you make the trek in-store.

We knew it was coming, and now we know when. Topshop has confirmed that the first Sydney store will open its doors on Thursday October 4th. Hurrah! The Sydney flagship will stock the brand's Boutique, Dress Up, Makeup, Petite, Tall, Unique and Collaborative lines, as well the main-line apparel, shoes and accessories collections. The NSW foothold will wallop the Melbourne Jam Factory space size-wise, taking up 1800 square meters of the iconic Gowings building on the corner of George and Market streets in the CBD, over four levels. David Shepherd, the COO for Topman said, "After the great response within the Melbourne market we are excited to announce our second Australian store opening in the vibrant and cosmopolitan city of Sydney this October and can't wait to see the customer reaction to the product collections. I am also happy to announce that Sydney will further roll-out our complimentary personal shopping service — the fourth city to offer this beyond London and New York." Topshop Sydney will also stock a line of Sydney Exclusive pieces, like those stunners we spied in Melbourne, during the grand opening period. There's no exact date for the opening has been released, yet, but we promise we'll keep you in the loop. Exciting times, shoppers.

• Jessica Hart models sass & bide's latest lingerie collection — Marie Claire
• Topshop confirms second Melbourne store to open at Highpoint — Pedestrian TV
• Wowzas Robyn Lawley! The plus-sized model strips for Georges Antoni — Fashion Copious
• Who's the girl? Cody Horne, that's who! — Who What Wear
• Madison gave cover girl Megan Gale a sexy, '60s makeover — Madison
• Want a Garance Doré  for Kate Spade iPhone cover? Win it! — Garance Doré

In between scoping the new store layout and editing our top product picks in store at Australia's first Topshop and Topman flagship in Melbourne last week, we were lucky enough to sit down with ex-UK Vogue editor and Topshop's current fashion director Kate Phelan. She was an absolute delight! Read on to find out what we can expect from Topshop in Oz, her personal chain store to designer ratio and the collab' to keep our eyes peeled for. . .

FabSugar Australia: Tell me about your role at Topshop. I know you were with UK Vogue, and recently came over as creative director. What does that involve and how does it differ?
Kate Phelan: It’s interesting because there are so many things that are completely different about working in retail and working on a magazine, and there are things that are completely parallel. Working in a magazine is all about the creating a vision, and looking at clothes and thinking about ways to give them an exciting twist and in a way watching the clothes start from the design process right to the shop floor is exactly the same thing.
FS: So are you involved in the design process, or do you direct things a bit more and say ‘we need these pants done in green’?
KP: I see myself as someone sort of like a checklist. To be able to say ‘Oh god I think we need more velvet’ or ‘we need more colour’ or think ‘we’re missing polkadots’. And the thing that’s so fantastic about Topshop is you can do things very, very quickly. So you can suddenly wake up one morning and say ‘oh my god I’m really excited about paisley’ and literally you can start working on samples almost immediately.

For more insider info from Kate, just keep reading. . .

Australian shoppers keen for their first taste of Topshop slept outside the Chapel Street store last night, and since the 10am opening time we've heard seen (thanks Twitter!) the in-store madness. Let's hope those eager beavers read our cheat sheet before shopping up a storm! Given the killer product we spied when we took the tour, we're betting our newly purchased slipper flats that Topshop's first Aussie flagship will be choc-a-block in the lead up to Christmas. Whether you're brave enough to battle the crowds over the opening weekend, or are willing to wait for the buzz die down, we thought you may want to memorise the following. . .

• Opening Weekend Hours: Thursday 10am - 9pm, Friday 10am - 9pm, Saturday 10am  - 8pm and Sunday 10am - 7pm.
• Regular Trading Hours: Sunday 10am - 9pm, Monday - Thursday 10am - 7pm, Friday 10am - 9pm and Saturday 10am - 7pm.

Topshop and Topman, Shop 1A, 500 Chapel Street, South Yarra, VIC. (03) 8844 9099

Have you had time to digest the picture-by-picture tour we gave you earlier of Australia's first Topshop and Topman store? No, well do take a look before reading this. Right. Now that you're familiar, we're going to break down what you need to know, your plan of attack and what not to miss at the Chapel Street emporium of fast-and-fabulous fashion. We spoke to creative director Kate Phelan (more on that later) and she gave us an insight into the key pieces to buy and what sets Topshop's retail experience apart from the rest of the high street pack. Melbournites; take notes as this info will ensure you get the most out of your first Topshop-in-Oz experience!

• Doors open tomorrow morning at 10am, and close at 9pm. The store is on one level (ground floor) at the Jam Factory, 500 Chapel St in South Yarra. Womenswear can be found at the front of store, with Topman occupying the back half and is accessible from inside the Jam Factory complex.
• The prices are good (we did tell you)! Recommended retail prices are comparable to what we pay online (minus the shipping costs of course!). A quick survey revealed party dresses sitting at between $90 and $240. Statement heels retail for $125, cute flats for $54, undies for $8 (or three for $18), metallic knit tees for $54, bikini (sets) for $61, statement metallic jackets for $144 and pleated midi skirts for $115.
• Menswear also offered good value with coloured skinny jeans at $90 and two-for-one tee deals for $18.
• New product will drop in store twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Fridays.
• The product is all from the current Winter collection selling in store in the UK. It has been handpicked for the Aussie climate (no heavy coats, more tees etc), but is essentially the same. You'll notice knitwear, jeans, boots and leathers in store, as well as the all-year-round bikinis and sandals.

For more Topshop tips, keep reading . . .