Scottish fashion designer Louise Gray launches new line at Topshop

As of today, if you head over to the Regent Street Topshop’s Edited section, you will find yourself lost amongst a riot of colour and sequins. Louise Gray’s six-piece fashion and 12-piece make-up collection is now available in store and online, and the collection certainly stems from Gray’s personal style.

“Bright colours have always been very me. I wanted to create a daring high street line suitable for Topshop girls.” At last night’s press launch, Gray herself looked near mythical, wearing some of her own collection together with a frenzy of prints in the form of an orange and gold skirt with matching monochrome boots and a long-sleeved top. Her bright blonde hair was styled up messily and she wore her own electric blue eyeliner. She looked every bit the part as she surrounded herself with equally colourful friends, and seemed completely comfortable and unphased by the evening as a whole.

Amongst the Louise Gray collection and some Topshop pieces Gray chose to accompany it, bloggers, friends and fashion fanatics swanned around like moths drawn to tantalising sequined flames, clutching drinks and canapés whilst praising Gray’s work. Her pieces are certainly daring, but also completely wearable.  The Smiley Face Sequin Tee was a favourite amongst many of the party guests. One fashionista said: ‘It’s my colours, my style. I’d put it together with a pair of black skinny jeans and a pair of brogues.” Others went for the Zigzag Sequin Dress, of which I saw quite a few disappear off the rail into smart Topshop bags. 

Student and Blogger Jessica Warshaw commented: “It’s such a statement dress but at the same time completely versatile. The whole collection is surprisingly malleable and would fit in amongst one’s own wardrobe and works with a lot of the Topshop lines.” She and Mark Brightmore, Topshop personal shopper and fashion graduate, discussed how Gray’s key pieces have the potential to work on anyone. “I get a bit jealous that it’s all girls’ clothing. I’m like a magpie so I’m just drawn to all the sparkle!” Warshaw cut in, gesturing to the conveniently androgynous mannequins: “But guys and girls could definitely pull off some of the same items and look equally brilliant, such as the Smiley Face Tee or the Smiley Face Trousers.”

Gray’s love of sequins and sparkle certainly made its way into her like of make-up, in the form of glitter pots and nail polishes with names like Dart, Junk Yard and (our personal favourite) Hat Trick. Of course, the colour scheme fits with her clothing collection, and is therefore bright and eye-catching. In particular, we at The Upcoming adore her Mexican Wave red lipstick that is in a shade absolutely perfect for bright blondes, which is sometimes a rare thing in high street brands. The range includes assorted brushes and make-up utensils, as well as the bolder coloured products. 

Aside from the awesome DJ playing some quality vintage tunes and the odd celebrity sighting (Jamie Winstone could be spotted dancing away to the DJ and even Henry Holland dropped in to have a gander at Gray’s collection), the brilliant and beautiful people of the fashion world came together and enjoyed an evening of good music, good food and of course, a great new line of clothing to add to Topshop’s enormous collection. Check out Louise Gray’s brilliant work here.

Elizabeth Finney