insideout magazine

Emma Molyneux 07014082

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Diary Of A Dead BarbieLady P takes on theLondon party scene

What’s your style?check out this months

style snatcher

Being Erikawe profile another

Talk Back

talented member of staff

we listenyou talk and

we catch up with what you guys and gals

style snatcher

with TS make-up range pendingMake believe

we set the record straight

have been wearing this month

SpringhasSprung

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CONTRIBUTORSthe people who helped make this issue cool...

004-005//NEWS‘Till Vintage Us Do Part...Hana and Chris make a right pair as they venture further out into the world that is fashionModel StoreSounds fun, but what is it?Paint your faceTopshop are launching their very own make-up range. It’s top secret and exclusive so count yourself lucky!006-007//Diary of a Dead BarbieShe’s given you the run down on what it’s like to work for a designer at LFW, now she takes on the party scene. Oh what a hard life Lady P has!

Anna Palmieriget used to this firey red-head as she will be regularly featuring in INSIDEout

010//Style SnatcherTake a look at the fashionable bunch who work at Topshop/Topman and their outfits.

015//The Not So Simple Life of...Topshop Ground FloorWe take a look at the role of denim specialist and the day-to-day running of ground floor

014//Talk To MeEach month we dedicate a section to the issues and goings on at our store. This month we see Talk Back being introduced to help improve working conditions for staff through all levels. Take a look and let us know what you think

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012-013//Being ErikaStockroom bunny by day, jewellery designer by night. It’s amazing what you lot get upto in your spare time and your hidden talents!

008-009//Absolutely FablousIt may not feel like it but summer is fast approaching with the trends ever changing to keep up. Check out the latest adaptions, you’l be pleased to hear it’s not floral!

Welcome to the second issue of INSIDEout! I

hope you all enjoyed the first installment, we certainly had fun putting it together.For our second issue we’ve filled it with even more fun, fashion and you! Lady P grips us all with her tales of the party scene at London Fashion week (we’re all super jealous!) with the latest from Diary Of A Dead Barbie.We all like a bit of bling from time to time but don’t always have the cash, Erkia Hawkins has overcome this by making her own! And guess what? That girl aint greedy, if you ask nicely she’ll even make something for you. I managed to nab a wolley headband!Keep an eye out for this months style snatcher to see if your outfit made the cut.And with the trends ever evolving, we keep you up-to-date with the micro trends this season.That’s just for starters! We have overflowing news pages, ususal features and a few surprises along the way, so, stay classy!

inside

Emma Molyneux - Editor

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So, new season means new threads right? Feel like you need a

bit of an update but just don’t know where to start? Then head on down to Kooki Two Bit! The cool cats who own this gaff stock labels such as CTRL, Keep and Cardifferent and even customise vintage or new pieces, including trainers! If you’re lucky they will even make you a nice cuppa while you’re there! You can also shop online and have it delivered straight to your front door, easy peasy.If you’ve seen something you like but it’s sold out, fear not as they are more than happy to make another!Kooki Two Bit is a totally independant store (which just happens to be owned by Chris and Hana who moonlight for DCK, Topshop), they stock vintage clothes, jewellery and handmade accessories by local designers. They have also found room for artwork created by local artists!

135 CLIFTON STREET, CARDIFF Shop Opening Times: Tuesday Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday: 10am-5:30pmPhone: 02920 489 352 Email: [email protected]

They can also be found at Northcote Lane Market in Milgi on the first Sunday of every month.

These are just some of the wears Kooki Two Bit boasts

two bit or not twobit?Kooki Two Bit speaks for itself; with new and vintage fashion finds alike, this one-off store is owned by married couple, Chris and Hana, who also find time to work for Topshop

News

Some of you may know whilst others may not, but something very exciting is going on at Topshop headquaters as we speak!Topshop are launching their very own make-up range just in time for summer! How very exciting is that!?The highly anticipated range will hit stores in may, taking summer and the up and coming festivals as inspiration. They chose to preview their collection by using it on their own models for their London fashion Week shows in Faburary known as ‘woodland brownie’, and what a delight that was.With colours taking inspiration from fashion rather than make-up trends, the collection is sure to be a hit with customers.There has been much secrecy surrounding the range but you lucky guys and gals are in the know. It’s a colourful and spirted collection, much like the Topshop customer. It’s a mix of fashion brights in professional finishes, unlike the first collection Topshop attempted to launch in the early 90’s! Managing director, Mary Homer said, ‘We’ve completely started from scratch’. The collection has been created with a little

help from Lizzie Dawson who is usually in charge of making the delightful blouses and lingerie we all adorn.The idea behind the collection is to let girls do it for themselves without having a generic Topshop look. They want your make-up to look lived in with the collection boasting a range of skin illuminators and highlighters rather than heavy foundations. The range was tried and tested at recent London fashion week for the Topshop Unique show and if those pictures are anything to go by, it’s something we all need to get our hands on!More information regarding the launch and what staff are expected to know about the collection from a sales point of view will be given closer to the launch date. But for now, I leavge you with the thought of over excitable, make-up hungry customers. So be prepared!

If you go down to the woods todayThings just got exciting as fashions most highly anticipated make-up launch is nearly upon us

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Emma Molyneux 07014082moods into context!As you know, Topshop/Topman take pride in being visually merchandised to perfection which, in a nut-shell, is what model store is about. But nothing is ever that straight forward!It takes more than a few good-looking mannequins and a lick of paint to make the grade. Everything is taken into consideration, such as layout and fixtures; they have to be quirky and interesting, creating height and mixing focal equipment to create an eclectic look, mixing focal equipment and clear zoning as it is crucial to create clear definitions of a shop witihn a shop, such as where one shop begins and another ends, take demin and jersey for example. Inspiring trends is another part of creating model store, using trend magazines to have a clear understanding of trends, defining trends by placing key products in focal sightlines, placing focus on fabrics and prints that are key to each trend, outfit builds are important to supporting clear merchandising and to show customers how to wear the

product. Finally, it is down to the total store experience, this season we want to create a feminine, summery, clean and fresh environment with this message ongoing throughout the store from store windows, which is the very first thing a customer sees, to displays in areas such accessories, shoes and underware. Most importantly exceptional retail standards, replenishment and housekeeping have to remain consistent, with customer service being our number one priority! This is something every member of staff is more capable of and it’s a great opportunity for you to shine.Oh, and remember heads up and smile!Hopefully this puts it into perspective for you, it’s not a huge change from what is normally expected of you, it’s just this time it counts for something more. We will be having a series of team breifs around model store with full explanations and reminders of what’s most important at this time and more information on current trends. Remember, managers and style advisors are readily available to help!

MODEL STORE

Model store is a stressful time of year for everyone at Topshop/Topman; from visual merchandisers to shop floor staff, whether you’re at the top or the bottom of the chain we all feel the pressure!Not all of you have experienced model store before so we wanted to give you a brief explanation of what it’s about so you can put all the stress and bad

Above and left are just some of the mannequins and outfits ready for model store

News

Calling all staff, listen up as we’ll tell you only once!

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Emma Molyneux 07014082 Emma Molyneux 07014082

www.diaryofadeadbarbie.blogspot.com

09:30 Paul Costelloe BFC Show Space Slept10:00 Designer Exhibition at LFW Opens WC2 Slept11:00 Caroline Charles BFC Show Space Slept12:15 Maria Grachvogel WC2 Too late, missed13:30 Aminaka Wilmont MBF Missed14:45 Hakaan WC1 Missed15:45 Bora Aksu BFC Show Space Yes made the show but unfortunately went to the pub afterwards, so the following occurred.....17:00 Jena.Theo BFC Show Space FR Missed18:15 Felder Felder MBF Refused entry as too drunk

Diary Of A Dead Barbie

London Fashion Week A/W 10, I brought a friend; Megan, my style spy who kindly

updated Diary of a Dead Barbie during London Fashion Week with pictures of some well-dressed people she found in and around London town during their busiest Week. She snapped some right treats! We were so busy at Bora Aksu, I didn’t get to see the light of day myself. I had to do all my spying behind the catwalk, so I got my style spy to take pictures of the finished product!So I’m going to be honest with you here, my fashion week was mainly spent propped up against a bar. All those bloody free vodka cocktails! Thank the Lord for Meggy my Style Spy, who got me to at least some of my appointments and wiped the

dribble from my chin, (future employers, please do not be put off!)Here is a run down of the shows I wanted to see, the ones I did make and the ones I didn’t!

INSIDEout’s fashion columnist, Anna, takes on the party scene at London Fashion Week to see what we’re missing out on...

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18:15 Hannah Marshall MBF Missed18:15 Felder Felder MBF Refused entry as too drunk18:15 Hannah Marshall MBF Missed18:15 Jean-Pierre Braganza MBF Missed 19:45 Sass & Bide BFC Show Space MissedThere was a fabulous party one evening, hosted by Lina O & Metal mag (with free booze), which I made, of course! And you can see all of the pictures on my blog.For those of you that followed me on twitter during London Fashion Week, you will know that day 4 was one of my favourite days. Far too much happened to bore you with, I don’t want to distract from the photos, so I’m going to say it like this ......................‘Pam Hogg, Front row, Too many vodka cocktails, Jaime Winstone, Jefferson Hack, Pearl Lowe, Random plastic woman thing, Siouxsie Sioux, Fur & fanny, Alice Dellal, Alice Dellals’ boobies, Pushed over by Peaches again! Alice Dellal shouting at people for pissing too long in toilets, Naked woman

London, I came across WAH nails which took me back to when I was 16; I had a slight, false nail addiction and I would often choose to spend my last penny on falsies from Blue Banana over my Greggs lunch. These were far from the pretty french manicure designs the other girls at sixth form would wear, but a good 2 inches of bright and beautiful art. I experienced mild disability during that year. Oh, but those nails were bloody beautiful, and I was so young and happy! Now I am getting old and bitter and at the age where I’m seeing trends come around again! But, I am happy to see the return of this one, it will help me through my looming mid-life crisis.The big dogs of the nail trend at the moment are WAH Nails, who have salons on Kingsland Road, Dalston and in the Topshop branch, Oxford Street. Head to http://www.wah-nails.com/ to book an appointment and check out their amazing designs.Before I go, I want to leave you with some food for thought (excuse the pun!)Those clever sods at TCH plan to launch ‘Access Agency’. Access plans to help

in toilet, Random drinking in Wetherspoons, Party at Sketch, The Sartorialist, Facehunter, Leigh Lezark, Pixie Geldof & Henry Holland at Sketch, asked by a Drag Queen if I’d like to intercourse -um NO! Egg shaped talking toilets, Party at Bungalow 8, Bed’.This best sums up mt time at London Fashion Week! Sadly, I didn’t get to see the Todd Lynn show for myself which is one I really wanted to see; my invite didn’t turn up in time, I found the little bastard on my doormat when I returned from LFW! But, I did get to meet the man himself, guzzling champagne and puffing on a cigarette outside ‘The Wellington’ near Somerset House (not the usual fashion watering hole of choice, for my Cardiff kids think, Pen & Wig with a quid added onto every drink ). I congratulated him on his fabulous collection (that I didn’t get to see!) & he fashion kissed my cheeks. At least I had lots of fun! And, it wasn’t all doom, gloom & missed shows. Meggy Style Spy made Ashley Isham, but her camera broke! Whilst I was in

brands and businesses see the world differently, change thinking patterns and build brand awareness.Right now, they’re working on creating fun new ideas for high profile brands.First up is McDonalds. Now, I don't know about you, but my local McDonalds is full of spotty teenagers and screaming kids. How I’d change my views off this restaurant if they served their fries up in wonderful packaging! This concept, known as ‘McFancy’, is an upmarket, contemporary McDonalds store that plans to launch at fashion weeks around the globe! McFancy will be part art installation, part restaurant, with waiters in tuxedos, silver service, and cool designer packaging, co-created with brands presented at fashion week. Will McDonalds follow in the footsteps of Starbucks and introduce a skinny burger to get in with the fashion crowd?

Above, these are two of the designs created by TCH


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Style Snatcher

<--- Gemma Williams, Topshop Ground Floor.Gemma is due start at Central St Martins in September, but in the mean time she keeps things cool in this floaty batwing dress and jeggings, an outfit that can be worn day and night without sacrificing comfort!

Adam Sparkes --->Topshop, Ground Floor.Adam will be moving to Birmingham in September as part of his management training, until then his retro Reebok high tops keep it casual on a spring day

<--- Libby James, Topshop First Floor. Libby’s girlie style is always a hit; fresh, feminine and perfect for the summer as her looks are easily adaptable if we were to get some sunshine on the off chance!

<--- Steve Morgan, Topshop DBM.Steve is a stylish chappie not afraid to experiment with his look. Here we see him tackle a smart/casual look with ease. This outfit is perfect for work and a trip to the pub after!

Laura Searle, Admin. (L) Laura has all the glamour of a Hollywood starlet but has made the look wearable for day by pairing this lace pannel dress with cute ankle boots.Katie Zelko, Topshop Product. (mid)Double denim is always a risk but Katie does it naturally, the tones of denim a different enough not to leave her looking like a cowboy and paired with gladiator sandals adds a feminie touch, this look could be my fave!

James Richardson, Topshop Shoes.(below)This guy sells womens shoes like no other! His look has a preppy feel to it with the tailored Topman LTD trousers but he keeps it cool by pairing it with a basic tee

Here at Topshop/Topman Cardiff, you lot are a stylish bunch! So welcome to our page dedicated to your style, we like to see your take on the latest trends and how you are all wearing your new uniform. This month we’ve feature just a few, but if you know anyone who’s not on here and you think they should be, let us know and we’ll be sure to snap them up. In the mean time, get yours eyes rounds these beauts!

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muffin without feeling an ounce of guilt. Not everyone understands how to dress for their shape and it’s not uncommon for someone to not know their body shape at all, so remember that when advising customers, especially when they are purchasing denim as there are so many different styles and fits available.If you feel you are not the right person to judge a customers body type or don’t feel condfiedent enough to tell them, remember, that’s what they style advisors are for. They don’t always have booked appointments so you can refer customers to them anytime. The new trends see a mixture of Latin lovers, romantic summer days and festivals, festivals, festivals! The first key trend is Club Tropicana, our most outrageous trend this season, get ready for it!Club Tropicana is a casual, sassy, street wear with a kitsch feel. Inspired by the New York latin quater and 80’s hip hop icons such as Neneh cherry and Salt ‘n’ Pepper.

Absolutely Fabulousa sneak peak at the looks that will launch you into summer. Hope you’re ready!

Left and below are two main looks from Body Armour. Both are heavily influenced by sportswear but have that girlie feel to them by pairing them with heels. In keeping with clean silhouettes this look can be worn simply or you can pile on the layers.

new season, new threads

As the season progresses so do the trends, seeing them evolve into micro trends. You’ll be pleased to hear, this time, it doesn’t involve one flower, not even a petal!With summer, sees us freed from our floral bloom, if only for a while.The new trends we have upon us for going through to summer are great for those days you think are going to be joyful and sunny, when, in fact you are going to get caught in a torrential downpour or there’s still a chill in the air. It’s all about dressing for your body and not dressing because you saw it on Kate Moss! I am one of many who have fallen foul to Ms Moss and her enviable style, but just because she can pull it off, doesn’t mean I can! So be kind to yourself and wear what suits YOU and not someone your total opposite. If you do have a figure which resmbles that of a model, with never ending pins and bumps in all the right places, then you can assume I have taken an instant disliking to you. But jealousy never gets you far, but dressing sensibly does! Trust me it works, I can still scoff a Startbucks blueberry

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Prints include tropical fruit, flamingos and kitsch hawaiian scenes. Key pieces include spray on coloured jeans, knotted shirts, black lace bodies peeking out at the waist of crop tops and over bra tops, corsets and super short hot pants. This trend is designed for maximum sex appeal with clothing tight and body hugging. Colours are bright and tropical set against a back drop of faded demin. Accessories include hightops in bubblegum pink and blue, wooden sandals and wedges, and chunky gold and plastic jewellery is a must. When outfit building think of Christina Auguleria and Lil’ Kim in the video for ‘Hold Us Down’, as hoochie mama is the look your going for! A lot of the florals from the original Meadow trend have now been placed into tropicanna as they are bright, gerish and fit with the colour story of tropicana.Our second main trend is Body Armour. This trend sees slinky jersey, grey marl and power mesh making a serious come back with sportswear inspired pieces. Who would have thought the humble track pant could look so sophisticated? Rolled up to mid-calf teamed with killer shoe boots, a simple vest and a leather motor cross jacket, they ooze city cool. Sportswear, straping,

elastic trims and utilitarian zips add an urban twist to body armour’s clean, sleek silhouette. This trend suits everyione and is great for a busy day at work as it mixes comfort and sophistcation effortlessly.Our final and most relevent trend for this summer season is Rough Luxe also known as Festival Army. With a summer full of festivals edging ever closer, this trend is a sure sell out. Rough Luxe gives this season’s prettiest pieces a dark and grungy feel, with laddered knits, battered leather and torn-up tuelle.Studded parkas, distressed waist coats and cobweb knits are layered over lace-trimmed slips and slinky petticoats for a look that will make you stand out on fashion’s front line. There may be girlie details, crochet, embroidery and delicate prints

- but styled up with ripped tights, weather worn boots and heavy accessories, it’s a pretty grungy look. Think Meadow in muted tones with vintage feel. It’s girlie turned up-side down, even those of you who are usually quite tom-boyish will apprciate the versatility of this trend.

It’s wearable by all. The great thing about our new trends are that the colour stories are becoming easier to distinguish. They can also be mixed and matched, combining all three trends in one look as the work so well with each other. A pair of acid wash skinnies from

tropicana could easily be paired with a lace panneled body-suit and leather biker jacket. Just use your imagination!

Above, Topshop Biker Boot, £70.00. One key piece to Rough Luxe this season

Right, slash pannel denim paired with lace for a grungy feel

Right, military jackets are a great way to toughen up any girlie look for Rough Luxe.

Above and right, thses are just some inspirational looks and outfit builds for Rough Luxe, perfect for festival goers. Below, Club Tropicana needs no introduction

TOP TIPS FOR DRESSING FOR S/S

Think festival chic even if you’re not going to one!Dress for your body shape and not someone elses.Don’t be afraid of colour; muted tones are in as well as in-your-face brights.There is a masculine feel this season which anyone can pull off, just be sure to add a few girlie touches.Lastly, mix and match to create your own look.

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Erika hard at work in the stockroom, a non-stop job. When she’s making her jewellery designs, she can take her time!

Deep in the depths of the Topshop stockroom lurks one lady; pleasing on the eye if a little rebelious, with, at times an adolescent mind with a liking for crude jokes, not to diminish her intellegence as she isn’t just a pretty face. Specs and sketch book in hand, there is never a dull moment, from appreciating her evolving hair colour to admiring an outfit or even figuring out what it is she sketchs on endless lunch hours and seeing the final outcome. Kind hearted and honest is what you get; creative, arty or just plain crazy at times, Erika Grima Hawkins fits all of the above. Jewellery designer at heart, stockroom fairy by day, there’s a lot you probably don’t know about her. So read on if you dare and discover some of the delights hidden within...

bright young thing

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I would descirbe my own personal style! I also occassionaly design, as you’ve mentioned, knitted designs such as headbands and scarves so I’d like to branch out to accessories as well as jewellery.Emma: Has it ever been an aspiration to turn jewellery designing into a full-time career, is it something you could make a living from?Erika: It would be my dream to make a living out of designing and making my own jewellery. I would start it as a part-time thing, selling my work online and through craft fairs and build up slowly. If it was to become a full time career, I would expand the sales potential and sell through boutiques and quirky little independent shops. I would seek to be available internationally as well.Emma: Sounds like you have got it planned! So by selling through boutiques, would your jewellery be made exclusively?Erika: As a designer, I would seek to create limited numbers of each design, to become exclusive but still appeal to a young, quirky market at the same time. This would help to keep a buzz around my designs and keep people wanting more.Emma: Do you think one day this might be reality?Erika: I hope so. I would love to earn enough money one day from designing and making my own designs to give up the day job and move into a static caravan by the sea, with lots of land to rear animals and grow produce!That sounds like a marvelous plan, a nice easy life! If you would like to see any more of Erika’s designs, you can do so via her Flickr or myspace pages. And she’s always more than happy to make items to order.www.flickr.com/photos/kitscherika/www.myspace.com/kitscherika

Erika Grima Hawkins is 29 years-old, she works in the stockroom, here at Topshop, Cardiff. She currently lives in Newport with her husband Paul who owns and runs Diverse Vinyl, an idependent record store. She’s a jewellery designer in waiting and tells us how it came about in her honest interview.Emma: How did you first get into making jewellery, was it something you had always wanted to do?Erlika: I’ve always dabbled in making jewellery. My grandfather was a jewellery designer and maker in a costume jewellery factory. I hadn’t really decided I wanted to do it until I started my Fine Art degree and I ended up hating it! I then decided to do a jewellery design degree instead. I’ve been making jewellery on and off ever since.Emma: Seems like it’s in your blood! Which University did you attend?Erika: I went to the London Metropolitan University and did a course called Jewellery Design, Silversmithing and Allied Crafts. I started in 2000 and graduated in 2003, when I atteneded though, it was called the London Guildhall University!Emma: How does jewellery making fit into your life as you work full-time here at Topshop?Erika: It’s depending on whatever else is going on and my creative inspiration. Currently it’s not something I have a vast amount of time for, but I always make time to record my ideas.Emma: Do you advertise the pieces you do have time to make or is it something you do as a hobby at the moment?Erika: I design and create under the name ‘Kitscherika’ but I generally don’t sell my jewellery but I have done; usually through me wearing an item and people noticing it. When I have more time to make, I would like to invest time in selling offically through craft fairs and the internet. I do advertise myself on facebook and myspace. I also evidence my general artyness on Flickr. If I were to set up a semi-professional site, I would get an editor in to start with!Emma: As I have discovered as I now own a lovely woolly headband I first saw you wear! How would you describe the feel behind your designs?Erika: I would describe my design style as kitsch; a little punk, a little girlie and vintage inspried. Which is pretty much how

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Talk to MeTopshop/Topman are always working to imporve our working environment. Last August they held a confidential survey of what the staff honestly thought of working here and how they felt it could be improved. The results were not great and they have been working on it ever since. This is why they have introduced ‘Talk Back’, a scheme where you get to put your feelings across and have your say on how you think things can be improved. Back in August, no-one knew so many people had a negative view on working for the company, so we have taken this negative and turned it into a positive by allowing you guys more say over what you feel needs improving. Having your own say is really important and contributing your ideas to the store is also a priority now. Talk Back is a series of meetings in small groups held with store manager, Natalie Bartz. The idea is to cover any issues you may have regarding anything that effects you in store, from team moral, communication, even to who you can go to if you have an issue. With the first session complete this month, how did it go? New staff were shocked to hear the results were so low, long serving members of staff can really see the difference from back then to now. “I have seen this place change rapidly since I first started”, gushes Alex Obiako who has worked for Topshop Ground Floor for about 6 months, “When I first came, there was none of the banter we have now, like when we get accounts, people are singing down the radio and all sorts! It really boosts morale.” The store has gone through a lot of changes in the months since the survey was done and there are many still to come.

The stores aim is for everyone to feel involved and part of a family. It is important that people know who they can go to in any situation and understanding other peoples’ job roles is key to being able to work as part of a team and supporting one another.There is now a notice board dedicated to all of the top levels in store; these are people you can go to no matter what the situation, even if it is a personal issue, they are there

to help. Communication was one big issue brought up in the survey and now, to ensure no-one misses a thing, there is a team brief before every shift, no matter what time you start.“Understanding what other people do in store is really important, I’ve had so many people come up to me and ask what it is I do,” says Lucy Williams who has worked on the replen team for almost two years, “replen is a really important role to the store so more people should make an effort to understand.” Everything mentioned in the survey has been picked up on, with so much to cover, how are they going to achieve it all? Store manager, Natalie Bartz, is working hard to keep it

on track, “The staff didn’t realise how much goes on behind the scenes and we’re making sure that they’re now informed. For instance, we have meetings evey week about individuals and the store as a whole, we now feed that back to them. We also have a deputy brand manager presence on the floors constantly as this wasn’t happening before, I will do everything in my power to keep my staff happy.” So the outcome is positive and it looks like things are only going to get better. Keep an eye on the Talk Back notice board for updates and future meetings.

With the introduction of Talk Back earlier this month, we want you to help us, help you

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A DAY IN THE LIFE OF... Ground Floor

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Ground Floor is the larger of the two floors here at

Topshop Cardiff, thus making it the busiest. Ground floor is home to the two main trends, Rough Luxe and Meadow and also to the two main program departments, Basic Jeresy and Denim. These are the biggest program lines for the store and take the most amount of money.To make each trend and department easier to shop, the floor is divided into different zones according to trend or department. Trend one, Rough Luxe, is the first trend as you walk into the store, you then enter Shop one which is Denim, you then have trend two which is Meadow, finally at the very back of the store you have shop two which is Basic Jersey. The shops and each trend are clearly defined where one ends and the other begins.To ensure each trend and shop can be managed efficiently, they have trend specialist’s. It is there job to oversee their trend or deparment throughout their shift. Not everyone is allocated a trend or department to focus on, therefore not eveyone will understand the importance

of their role and how they can help support their colleagues. So this month we have chosen to delve into the shoes of Bleddyn Ace who is deparment specialst for Denim.Bleddyn has worked for Topshop for 2 years and has only recently become denim specialist, we caught up with him to see what he gets upto on a daily basis.As denim specialist, I look after my department as well as support on the shop floor in general and on the tills. There isn’t a specific routine in place for me but there are things which have to be done on a regular basis. As this is such a big department, I am in charge of it’s replenishment; this is stock from the fitting rooms which has been tried on as well as replening from the denim stockroom. As there is so much denim, I have my own stockroom which is situated on the ground floor which makes my life a lot easier as the main stockroom is on the third floor! I consult the BS3 every week which bascially tells me how much money I have taken in a week against previous weeks, the stores performance and the company’s performance.

This allows me to pin point where I have lost sales or a certain line has sold particularly well. I use the BS3 to identify my best selling lines and to see where I need to focus on replen. It also allows me to remerchandise my shops layout to help drive sales and place my best sellers in a focal point within the denim shop. I refer to model store guidelines when remerchandising my shop. I have to report to Natalie Reed who is product manager, on a weekly basis to let her know how the deparment is performing on sales and to discuss any improvents which can be made to help boost sales.Keeping on top of standards in my department help to drive sales which is why it is such a big priority. Keeping everything in size order and in leg length helps sales as it makes it far easier for the deparment to be shopped. Housekeeping is also very important a no-one wants a

dusty pair of jeans! Keeping my stockroom in order also helps, it is arranged into styles and completely size ordered with dividers between wach different line so it is easy to identify which line belongs where when filing away stock and when replening.Denim is a strong point of sale for store cards; none of the demin we sell is under £40.00 therefore the customer instantly saves 10% if they open a store card. Meeting my sales plan is integral to running my department, this week I missed plan but made one of the best plans in the company so it’s not all negative! It seems like a lot to do but most of these jobs can be done in no time at all. It’s fun and keeps me on my toes, I think I’d be bored without a department to look after!

Topshop/Topman is a big store, and with over 100 employees in at least 10 different job roles, it’s easy to overlook what other people do. So to keep you ‘in the loop’, we thought we would live out a day in their life and see what they get up to on a daily basis. This month we have delved into the shoes of Denim department specialist, Bleddyn Ace for an insight to his role

Above - Topshop’s denim department. Right - Bleddyn Ace, Topshop denim specialist

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