In London on Sunday evening, retail giants Topshop showcased their SS18 collection from a dedicated show space on Charing Cross Road. In line with collections past, this one weighed in on – and boldly responded to – the fashion industry’s speed cycle. Last season’s collection was made immediately available post-show from a branded, pop-up venue, and at select stores, for SS18, the world was invited to shop the catwalk online, after watching the show from their sofas – in real-time.

Topshop’s SS18 output was emblematic of this quintessentially British high/low interplay. Taking cues from iconic Soho-based venues, such as Madame Jojo’s and the Revuebar – those underground havens documented by the likes of Corinne Day – the collection married timeless glitz and glamour with the Soho grittiness of late 80s club life. Snakeskin minis followed dance floor-ready dresses with neat silhouettes and revealing slits, all paired with oversized satin bombers and luxe shearling layers. Meanwhile, long blue dresses came with metallic boots, and a shiny mini skirt – paired with an opaque blouse – was fiercely offset with sparkling earrings. In Topshop’s words, it was all about “the grit and the gleam of London’s heady nightlife.” It’s that middle ground between an ice cold tinny and a champagne flute, from Crobar to Quo Vadis.