The British are coming
I used to walk two blocks from where I lived, and turn right to find myself in the middle of the throbbing hum of everyone I could possibly know in the same place at the same time — and all there for the same soul-thrilling reason I was. Topshop.
The gleaming, multi-story retail legend in London’s Oxford Circus made your heart pound with exciting and effortlessly wearable urban style. I walked into the store and wanted everything. It was a pitch-perfect orchestration of must-have merchandising, complete with music videos blaring from TVs installed in the façade. I’ll never forget the first time I heard Ash’s “Orpheus,” the subliminal incentive to spend with speed that made me want to dance up and down the 90,000 square feet of retail space alongside the thousands of people swiping at fashion forwardness with their credit cards.
My black wool coat found for 20 quid on sale, the blouse sported once or twice a year (else friends might grow tired of it) and a pair of earrings I wore every day that summer. All perfect, loved — and still with me. And maybe now that Topshop/Topman opens its third U.S. location — and one of its largest single-level stores — at Fashion Show Mall March 8 and we are reunited, I can relinquish my trophies.
Because Topshop straddles high and low fashion more widely than other trendy European chain imports, it offers rapid-fire interpretations of street fashion at moderately accessible prices. I’ve been reluctant to let go. It was the under-40s, not-entirely-secret source for distinctive pieces complimented without fail by total strangers.
Then Topshop blew up. Showing its own label at fashion weeks, famous collaborations, emerging designer programs ... the works. The Oxford Circus flagship sees more than 200,000 people in its store each week and fashion pioneers on the other side of the pond are turning to the likes of lesser-known River Island and Oasis.
But the Topshop secret isn’t quite out yet here, and I’m going to enjoy it while I can. It won’t be long before everyone knows where I got such a smart top. (Topshop/Topman, inside the Fashion Show Mall, 866-0646)
Lacquer up!
Bold nails add punch to any ensemble and spice up a casual look. We chatted with renowned manicurist Deborah Lippmann, whose client roster ranges from magazines such as Vogue to top fashion houses such as Valentino to celebrities such as Lady Gaga and Sarah Jessica Parker.
Desert Companion: What is the “it” nail color for spring/summer 2012?
Deborah Lippmann: I love vibrant blues and greens like my new spring shades, Mermaid’s Dream, a gorgeous glittery sea foam, and On the Beach, a rich Riviera blue. Turquoise will be a big color this spring and summer — they are both in the turquoise family and they give you that easy, breezy and carefree feeling you would have on vacation.
DC: Hottest nail trend?
DL: Painting nails with different shades is becoming a trend, and if you go with the trend you can use a different lacquer on every nail. You could use glitter on some nails, and crème on others. The idea is to mix and match, and never worry about what you’re wearing.
DC: Ideal length and shape for the average woman’s nails?
DL: Right now I am enjoying a slightly longer, almond-shaped nail. It’s very slenderizing, quite sexy and still very strong.
DC: Best tip for a DIY lacquer lover?
DL: When it comes to fun DIY nail art, start by painting ideas on fake nail tips to see what would look good before putting your design on actual nails. It’s not rocket science, but it does take a little bit of practice. Playing with nail tips takes some of the fear out of it. Women feel different when their nails are different shades, and we like being able to state what our mood is by showing it on our nails. Have fun with it.
(Deborah Lippmann products are available at Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom Fashion Show Mall.)