I really should look at newspapers earlier in the day...today's Economic Times tells me that the Arcadia group (they own Topshop) is apparently tying up with real estate developers DLF to open up a Topshop franchise in India, and that space for stores has already been blocked in an under-construction mall in South Delhi, among other places. There's no definite date attached to a possible opening- the only thing that gave me any clue was the line 'DLF has started blocking space for Topshop at some of its projects that may hit the market late this year,'. Which means..there could be a Topshop store in this country by the end of the year. (I'm hoping for an online store too, but am I getting ahead of myself?)
On one hand, I'm thrilled with the news- finally, a potential source of decent clothes that won't make me look like some pseudo NGO pillock (*coughFabIndiacough*), and won't be mundane enough to drive me to tears (Westside etc- ugh!)! But on the flip side, I'm worried about the designs being watered down to 'suit the Indian market'*, and also overpricing**. I suppose a lot depends on how the chain wants to position itself, too- whether it's setting itself up as the cooler, more fashionable alternative to the horrible high-street shops in existence today, or as yet another 'premium' brand from the UK (that was M&S's excuse for its own ridiculousness). And given that another article tells me that Zara could also open shop here by 2010...my clothes choices could get interesting- or more interesting than they are now, anyway.
*this is where I have nightmare visions of cheap Lycra 'clubwear' and caftans on the rails, and the more interesting designs never making it here at all.
**Mango, which has been around for a few years, sells camisoles- its cheapest items- for over a thousand rupees (that's about £ 12.50- £15 , which mightn't seem like a lot in the UK but is a lot here). M&S also used to overprice truly horrible clothes some years back, but I haven't been near it for a while.
On one hand, I'm thrilled with the news- finally, a potential source of decent clothes that won't make me look like some pseudo NGO pillock (*coughFabIndiacough*), and won't be mundane enough to drive me to tears (Westside etc- ugh!)! But on the flip side, I'm worried about the designs being watered down to 'suit the Indian market'*, and also overpricing**. I suppose a lot depends on how the chain wants to position itself, too- whether it's setting itself up as the cooler, more fashionable alternative to the horrible high-street shops in existence today, or as yet another 'premium' brand from the UK (that was M&S's excuse for its own ridiculousness). And given that another article tells me that Zara could also open shop here by 2010...my clothes choices could get interesting- or more interesting than they are now, anyway.
*this is where I have nightmare visions of cheap Lycra 'clubwear' and caftans on the rails, and the more interesting designs never making it here at all.
**Mango, which has been around for a few years, sells camisoles- its cheapest items- for over a thousand rupees (that's about £ 12.50- £15 , which mightn't seem like a lot in the UK but is a lot here). M&S also used to overprice truly horrible clothes some years back, but I haven't been near it for a while.
17 comments:
I'll be interested to see what happens with this new development.
I thought they began international shipping, or does it work out ridiculous in terms of shipping costs etc? Anyway, I am mentally cheering for you!
They're getting a Topshop near me (well as near as NYC which is several hours but occasionally do-able) and I'm afraid of the prices as well. I think it's rather silly how they change things for different places, when the whole point of this store is to have items from this store...
I hope all your Topshop dreams come true, I don't know how I'd live without it.
as much as I love topshop, I do wonder about the Topshoppifyng of the universe... I remember when the Gap first launched in the uk, and for a long time I hated the homogenous universal McClothing concept of it - the idea that some middle-aged crank in the Midwest could be buying the same outfit as a middle aged crank in the midlands depressed me somewhat.
that said, I too am cheering for you - it seems long overdue!
I'd be fearing if i were you because Topshop in S'pore is pretty watered down.... and they always have to test the market tentatively...
i love top shop! i used to have to purchase it online along with my other favorite online retailer ( shopgoldyn.com) but now i can actually go into the store
take a look at NYmag's preview of the clothes on their site. everything looks nice, but I get your nightmare visions...I am afraid of it becoming another bad quality retail chain. I've just heard rave reviews for the longest time that i can't help but be somewhat excited...
£12.50 for a camisole seems insane to me, I'm sure in Mango here they cost about £5... (I might be wrong) but that's outrageous.
I don't find Topshop that much cheaper, actually. Not even Zara. Except when they have sales^.^
Yes, the shoes are black with a sort of dark grey metallic detail.
hmm yeah i wouldnt worry about the topshop prices...but i get what you're saying, i'd be so sad to see topshop's quality go down.
oh i forgot to ask, would you like to link? =]
ENC: I'm looking forward to it too, though not without reservations..
Meg: The shipping can be ridiculous, and online shopping is something I can't do without a credit card (also, Customs sometimes acts up- more trouble than it's worth!)
The Clothes Horse: I can't wait to see what you'll do with Topshop clothes! Though I suspect they aren't going to open in more than one or two cities in India, at least at first..and yes, I find this stocking of different items in different places ridiculous too. Though I get why they do it...
Sarah: Thanks! I'm hopeful too :)
Headmistress: I'd rather have a Topshop than no Topshop, like I said the Indian high street chains are horrible and devoid of design sense altogether (this cannot be stated often enough)- and I'm hoping the prices will be less than at Mango!
Susie: Like I said, I'm scared of sub-standard, overpriced clothing- and given how conservative India is sartorially, I fear there might be a good deal of watering down..
Anon: good for you:)
Riz: Thanks for the tip- I went and looked at the NYmag preview and the clothes do look great, though I can't judge them against the UK line. If that stuff made it here, I'd be thrilled- and I'm circumspect and thrilled in equal measure..
Soph: Thanks for the price corroboration- though strangely, foreign clothing lines in Asia (Mango, Zara) tend to be wildly overpriced- and it isn't just me, a blogger in South Korea confirmed the same. It's like they think Asian shoppers have more money than sense...though I wonder if taxes also have something to do with it.
Romeika: I'm consoling myself with the though that they'll eventually have to have sales...
Newyorkchique: Foreign brands in Asia often tend to charge more in our native currencies than in dollars/pounds/euros. So I'd say my worry is legitimate...and I'd love to do a link-up, I shall add you at my next blogroll update :)
i'm not sure about watered down but our topshop here definitely doesn't stock as many of the items i covet online as i'd like. still, yay for topshop opening in india! :D
Aaaand Topshop continues its quest for world domination. As someone who grew up with Topshop since the age of about 15, I think it's hideously overrated and horrendously overpriced now. I remember in the good old days (6/7 years ago) when jeans were £15 and tshirts were a fiver, now jeans are £45 quid!
Evie: It's still only some yay, not a very whole-hearted one at that :)
Fashion Dreamer: If the location in your profile is correct, I'm assuming that decentish high street chains were something you had access to for years. I get your annoyance about overpricing (I feel it too!), but if you saw the hideousness that dominates the rails of stores here you wouldn't be so bugged by the idea of Topshop, however overrated you think it is.
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