LONDON - If I had any doubt about Kate Moss’ ability to draw a crowd, it all dissipated at the global launch event of the Kate Moss for Topshop collection.
The flagship Topshop store at 214 Oxford Street
On April 29, 2014, fans and fashionistas gathered around the front entrance of the flagship Topshop store at Oxford Circus. One day before the supermodel’s third collaboration with the high street brand was released in Topshop stores worldwide, some lucky Londoners got first dibs on the collection as part of the global launch event. Some had been queuing since 12pm just to be in front of the line.
It wouldn’t have been a Kate Moss event without any fanfare and by 5.30pm – the time scheduled for the model’s appearance – a 250-strong crowd spilled onto the street, just to catch a glimpse of her.
The supermodel is mobbed before her big appearance
I was one of the luckier few who were present at the huge Topshop store for the launch and we, the media, waited patiently along with the shoppers outside. Moss arrived inside the store quietly and punctually by model standards at 6.10pm, the petite model wearing a tuxedo suit from the collection, of course. Her makeup artist, Charlotte Tilbury was on hand, for a last minute touch up before British DJ Nick Grimshaw introduced her. As I attempted to get a good picture of her with my smartphone along with the rest of the journalists present, it was amazing how the supermodel looked not a day over 25 and as impressive in person as she did in fashion spreads and advertising campaigns.
Kate Moss wears Kate Moss Topshop tuxedo jacket and trousers, available on Topshop.com
The crowd roared when Moss walked onto the makeshift stage that was the store window. She may be 40 but there was no question – this woman is still at the peak of her popularity. Declaring that “this was mental”, she acknowledged the passengers on a bus that had stopped at a red light and told Grimshaw how she wanted everyone to find something from the collection that they love.
The band Duke Dumont followed her short but well-received appearance and played “I Got U”. Moss danced along, offstage, to her favourite band of the moment.
Sir Philip Green (left) and Kate Moss
Soon after, she disappeared from sight and the first batch of shoppers were ushered into the basement of Topshop where the collection was displayed. But just like a first-time designer, who was eager to see what people thought of her collection, Moss suddenly appeared at the side with Sir Philip Green – the CEO of Arcadia Group which owns Topshop – to take peek at the action.
Sienna Miller wear Kate Moss Topshop beaded dress; Naomi Campbell wears Kate Moss Topshop beaded fringe dress
Fans stopped snatching pieces off the racks to rush to snap a picture of her before she shyly disappeared again to dash off to a private dinner with her friends and supporters, like Cara Delevingne, Sienna Miller, Naomi Campbell and Suki Waterhouse. It may have been brief but Moss’ star power simply shined – there is no denying that the supermodel is still on top of her game.
Suki Waterhouse wears Kate Moss Topshop fringe dress and biker jacket; Cara Delevinge wears Kate Moss Topshop playsuit and tuxedo jacket
The full Kate Moss for Topshop collection will retail at its Knightsbridge and Ion Orchard stores from April 30, 2014. Topshop stores at VivoCity, Raffles City and Bugis will carry selected items from the Kate Moss for Topshop line. For more information, go to sg.topshop.com/?geoip=home. Follow Topshop on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Topshop, Twitter @topshop and Instagram @topshop.