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Oct 05, 2007 @ 3:13pm

we like the silver top.jpg The Daily Mail came up with the handy chart at left, just to rub it in American's faces that not only do we not have TopShop yet--

The pieces from Kate Moss's TopShop collaboration that have made it across the pond are much more expensive here.

TopShop reps told the Daily Mail that "they didn't have jurisdiction on prices, adding that import costs and taxes could push up US prices by almost three-and-a-half times."

Still, that doesn't explain why most of the collection retailed for prices much closer to the UK's last season.

The real reason for the increased mark-up?

Some say poor sales.

Barneys was left with a lot of Kate Moss for TopShop at warehouse sale time and in order to prevent the same situation, they may have placed a smaller order and decided to charge more per item.

Oddly, the piece that seems to be selling best on Barneys website is the t-shirt screened with Kate's face. Maybe that proves that the audience for this collection is indeed only the most loyal of Kate fans.

--ANNA FIELDING GRIGGS

posted by guest

Oct 05, 2007 4:06PM

My Kate Moss for Topshop one shoulder dress was bought from Opening Ceremony in July. Boy did I get a shock when I realized the dress cost $70 than the dress was at Barneys. In short, I was pissed. I got totally ripped off! I love Opening Ceremony, but I will look around and do price comparisons before I buy from them again.

Oct 05, 2007 8:19PM

Considering we in the UK usually pay far more for things than in the US I can't exactly feel sorry for those in the US.

posted by amandabug

Oct 05, 2007 9:11PM

not necessarily true. i unfortunately ordered (and later returned) the one-shoulder chiffon dress from this season.

i wandered into opening ceremony this week, and found the same dress for $330 -- that's only $5 less than barneys.

and then i felt much better about having ordered it and gotten it for $240, although i did get my refund on it already.

i thikn there's a range that stores are allowed to charge for topshop items.

Oct 05, 2007 10:12PM

Wow I hadn't realized the exchange rate for the dollar was so bad.

Oct 05, 2007 10:51PM

I meant to say $70 more than. My fury was causing me to type fast and sloppy.

posted by lana

Oct 06, 2007 1:53PM

well, speaking of Barneys. my boyfriend bought 3.1 Philip Lim boy-cut coat at Barneys-marked price was around $770( I am sorry for I am not remember exact price) but Actually, At the 3.1 Philip Lim flag ship store at Soho, the price was around &690.
What's wrong with Barneys? It's totally ripping-off!!

posted by Bremdastarlet

Oct 06, 2007 6:08PM

The British prices include VAT which means that the piece cost, before taxes, is even cheaper than those prices. So the clothes actually should be priced the same, or less, in U.S. dollars, since our taxes are added on top.

Furthermore, these clothes aren't sold by TopShop to Barney's at retail, they're sold at wholesale. So the markup is staggering. If you really want something, buy it, but don't kid yourself into thinking bargains over there are going to be bargains here as well.

posted by DC Goodwill Fashionista

Oct 07, 2007 9:43AM

Could it just be that Americans aren't that interested in what Kate Moss is trying to peddle to us? I mean, the clothes aren't that great, especially for the price point (on either side of the pond).