Issue 147

Top fashion freak!

23rd October 2006

Topshop is a well known student favourite store, with new ranges coming in every two weeks to keep up with the latest trends at affordable prices. Every year for the past three years the Swansea store has opened it doors for a special student only night, which has become ever more popular.

This year over 700 students braved the sweltering heat, due to the aptly timed broken air conditioning, during the three hour shopping extravaganza.

The crowds were treated to free champagne cocktails, gift bags and 20% off all purchases for their troubles. The store extended the event over two days in an effort to whittle down the hoards of people that came last year.

Previously called 'Student Lock In', Topshop were eager to lose the event's image of free alcohol, and to focus on a more sociable shopping experience.

Dawn, our societies editor, describes her normal style as "Comfort before fashion, although I like to try to be relatively coordinated I like to pick a few trends from each season to add to my personal sytle." Dawn loves funky bags and scarves, and is unafraid to accessorise with unusual elegant.

In the capable and stylish hands of Jessica Huskings, Dawn was talked through the must haves of this season, before trying on key looks.

In the main picture, Dawn was dressed in what Huskings described as a 'Punky Debutante' ensemble. Huskings was keen on this style, saying, "This season has a heavy Vivienne Westwood, wicked look."

It's a versatile look. Don't fancy wearing skin tight leggings? Black skinny jeans look good with the dress too, and lends well to teaming with funky oversized jewellery.

Belts this season have shrunk, gone are the thick and chunky hipster style belts so get ready to welcome in the age of skinny, barely there belts.

Having a make over is a great way to introduce yourself to trends you wouldn't normally think of.

Dawn wasn't sure about the top at first; "To say that I was apprehensive before putting on a leopard print dress would be an understatement, especially as the fabric reminded me of the old sofas in Barons!"

However, Dawn was pleasantly suprised after seeing the photos. "Although," she added, "I'm not convinced it's something I'd wear here, as I'm not sure Swansea is ready for punky debutantes. I think the outfit is more suited to my home town of Brighton!"

Dawn liked the leggings; "I wear leggings often," she said, "but not teamed with a woollen grey pinafore dress, which was another look the stylist created for me, which transported me back to my primary school years!"

Huskings' service is free and tries to focus on a friendly, personalised customer service.

The two hour appointment you can book with Huskings is designed to discover your likes and dislikes and to try and find the right outfits for you. It's ideal if you need a particular outfit or even if you are simply feeling out of your depth with the new trends.

Huskings' service helps take the strain out of shopping and delves into the store to find you clothes in the relevant sizes, whilst you sit back and relax in the comfort of your own V.I.P room.

Huskings makes a good point when she says, "My job is to know the store really well and know where all the clothes are, even when sometimes things are hiding behind each other and sometimes you wouldn't think of putting certain items together."

This friendly service allows you to try out the latest trends and styles and gives you the confidence to try new looks, along with that all important second opinion from someone who knows what they're talking about!

Dawn agreed, saying, "The clothes I tried on in Topshop were certainly not ones I would normally pick, and I don't have the knowlege or inspiration to put such items together, so it was a real eye opener!"

You too can have the same V.I.P treatment that Dawn experienced. Booking couldn't be easier. Visit topshop.com/styleadvisor or call 0845 1241 144

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