Upmarket designer and 1960s favourite Celia Birtwell has created a third collection for high street retailer TopShop. The range consists of 5 extremely limited edition luxurious silk chiffon dresses alongside a more accessible main line of dresses, underwear and accessories, all bearing Birtwell’s signature print designs.
Prices for the main line start at £35, however the exclusive chiffon dresses will be going for between £120 - £150, incredibly cheap when you consider the price of a Birtwell original.
However, only 250 of each of the 5 exclusive designs will be created, again raising the question of snobbery on the high street. Designer collaborations with high street stores such as this one aim to bring designer looks to a wider audience; for the sake of inferior fabrics and workmanship, designer dresses can be made accessible to the regular middle income girl. However, with stores placing this strict limit on numbers, the elitist nature of the designer goods remain, creating a paradox over the whole venture.
Inspired by the romantic silhouettes created by Ossie Clark, Birtwell’s former husband, expect a soft, 70s feel with floor sweeping skirts, ditsy floral prints, frothy chiffon and winding ruffles, creating summery styles loaded with femininity. A high luxe approach gives the range a superior feel.
The main line launched this week; the limited edition dresses will go on sale from September 9.
View and shop for the range at www.topshop.com
A swimathon may seem like a word you haven't heard or used since you were in school but it might be something you want to get involved in for 2008. This year, the event is raising money for Marie Curie Cancer Care and they have called upon the help of amazing textiles designer Celia Birtwell to create some chic swimwear. 
