Cara Delevingne, Sadiq Khan and more turn out for Topshop’s relaunch

By Lara Owen, PA

Models Cara Delevingne, Adwoa Aboah and mayor of London Sadiq Khan were among the famous faces who turned out to support the return of one of Britain’s best-known high street retailers: Topshop.

Cara Delevingne arrives at the catwalk show for the launch of Topshop's new dedicated website, at the National Gallery, London. Picture date: Saturday August 16, 2025.
Face of the brand and muse Cara Delevingne wore a burgundy Topshop ensemble (Aaron Chown/PA)

The fashion label closed in 2020, after its owner, Sir Philip Green’s Arcadia group, collapsed and caused all of Topshop’s physical stores to shut down soon after.

The brand then appeared on the online fashion website Asos, but never relaunched its own standalone website – until now.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan attends the catwalk show to celebrate the launch of Topshop's new dedicated website at the National Gallery, London. Picture date: Saturday August 16, 2025.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan attended in a casual denim ensemble (Aaron Chown/PA)

After years of gaining traction purely through Asos and online channels, Topshop has now fully revived its independent digital presence.

On August 15 2025, the brand relaunched its own website and has now celebrated its comeback with a public runway show in Trafalgar Square.

Models on the catwalk to celebrate the launch of Topshop's new dedicated website at the National Gallery, London. Picture date: Saturday August 16, 2025.
The show took place at lunchtime on Saturday August 16 (Aaron Chown/PA)

Standalone stores are returning to the high street, confirmed Michelle Wilson, managing director of Topshop and Topman, noting that a “semi-permanent” high street presence is planned for later this year, with permanent standalone stores scheduled for autumn.

A post shared by Topshop (@topshop)

The Trafalgar Square event, Topshop’s first runway show since 2018, was a public spectacle featuring some of the brand’s original muses – including Delevingne, 33, and Aboah, 33, – alongside a lively street-party atmosphere.

Model Adwoa Aboah arrives for the launch of Topshop's new dedicated website at the National Gallery, London. Picture date: Saturday August 16, 2025.
Model Adwoa Aboah sat front row for the runway (Aaron Chown/PA)

The show debuted the autumn/winter 2025 collection, available to buy immediately online in a “See Now, Buy Now” format.

The collection features long leather trench coats, metallic maxi dresses and A-line skater skirts and is, unexpectedly, drenched in nostalgia, evoking the brand’s heyday of Kate Moss, “indie sleaze” and the Jamie Skinny Jeans (which are also back and available to buy).

Models on the catwalk to celebrate the launch of Topshop's new dedicated website at the National Gallery, London. Picture date: Saturday August 16, 2025.
Nostalgic, silver metallics dominated the collection (Aaron Chown/PA)

Under new ownership, Asos retains a 25% stake, while Danish retail giant Bestseller (via its Heartland investment arm) now holds 75%, Topshop is positioning itself with elevated fashion credibility, improved quality and renewed cultural relevance, targeting shoppers aged 18 to 40.

Models on the catwalk to celebrate the launch of Topshop's new dedicated website at the National Gallery, London. Picture date: Saturday August 16, 2025.
The collection featured both young and mature wardrobe staples (Aaron Chown/PA)

Topshop has already begun reappearing in physical retail via wholesale channels, beginning with McElhinney’s department store in Ballybofey, County Donegal, where garments will go on sale from August 21.

Whether this revival marks a meaningful return or merely taps into nostalgia remains to be seen.

Fashion experts say that real success will hinge on how Topshop resonates with socially conscious, digitally savvy millennials and Gen Z shoppers in a competitive and matured retail landscape.