From Vogue to Topshop

The latest magazine editor to trade on their editorial prowess in order to bag a plum retail position is British Vogue’s long-serving fashion director Kate Phelan.  After 18 years at the luxury fashion magazine, she has been named the new creative director of what is arguably the UK's most directional high street retailer: Topshop.

Phelan is a highly respected stylist who worked her way up from fashion assistant to take charge of British Vogue’s fashion team alongside fellow director Lucinda Chambers. She has already been heavily involved with the brand, styling many of its advertising campaigns and working closely on product development with its legendary ex-creative director, Jane Shepherdson.

Following in the footsteps of ex-editor-in-chief of Paris Vogue, Carine Roitfeld (who is currently ‘guest editing’ the Autumn/Winter 2011-12 windows for New York department store Barney's), Phelan's appointment lucidly demonstrates the shape-shifting nature of the new top roles in retail.

Look out for our report New Roles For Retail, coming later this summer.

topshop.com