Shoppers battle for Kate’s clothes (From Enfield Independent)

Shoppers battle for Kate’s clothes

10:45am Wednesday 9th May 2007 in News By Anna Krahn

CLOTHES designed by the supermodel Kate Moss, who is for many a style icon, and one of the most influential figures in the fashion industry, went on sale nationwide on May 1.

At the Enfield store in the new Palace Exchange, visual merchandising teams stayed until 11pm getting the new collections, including the Kate Moss range, ready for display the next day.

From 8am the next morning a small queue started forming outside the doors. When the doors opened at 9am, the eager customers headed straight for the Kate Moss racks.

Eager to get their hands of the goods, many people grabbed items without even looking at the size. They were only allowed to buy one of each style and five items at a time to avoid the clothes being bought in bulk and then sold on auction sites such as eBay.

Throughout the day a steady stream of people bought items from the collection with many items, including a simple black top and floral dress, completely selling out.

According to staff, though, since the grand opening it seems the hype has died down and its back to business as usual.

We spoke to some of the shoppers at the store. Here's what they said.

Nadia Lanzlaco said: "I'm not going to buy anything.

"Some of it is strange stuff that you'd see on a catwalk but they're not really wearable. The jeans are alright but overly priced.

Dawn Mellowship was more positive, though. She said: "I like some of the clothes and will be buying something.

"I generally like Kate Moss' style but some of the stuff only suits Kate Moss.

"The prices aren't bad. It's a bit more expensive than it should be for the material, but I guess you're paying for the name.

"People probably wouldn't buy it if her name wasn't on it, but I think it's quite nice."

Mary Constantinou was a little disappointed. She said: "I thought there would be a bigger range but the clothes aren't bad.

"The prices are a little bit more than what you'd expect to pay at Topshop.

"The clothes aren't very varied but most of it is quite accessible with some good key pieces.

"I'm not overly crazy about it but I do think Kate Moss is a style icon."

Naddy Jiwany refused to be parted with her money.

She said: "I'm not going to buy any of it. I've seen bits on telly and in magazines before and I don't really rate it.

"There's nothing there that hasn't been done before, so I think most of it is just copies of other designs and the pieces aren't made for a woman who isn't Kate Moss' size.

"The average Topshop shoppers are young girls and the prices don't fit a young girl's budget."

Bukki Oshitola was more positive, saying: "I think it's quite trendy and the prices are pretty average. Kate Moss has done well - it fits in with the Topshop style well. I wouldn't buy the pieces just because of the Kate Moss label but I like the clothes.

"I think her style is pretty plain and simple so I don't really think she's that much of a style icon."