Another year, another Arcadia press day where once again, Topshop is the main focus of my Canon camera which due to lack of gigabyte storage meant I was limited photo wise.   Naturally, I zoomed to Topshop where Hope and Glory, Memphis, Nouveau  Sport and Voodoo were all themes for S/S 09.   Since the New York Topshop opening is being stalled until next year, THIS is probably the stuff that is going into the store there.   I'm not usually a fan of buzzy trend words but thank goodness they did not once mention that horrid word 'ethnic' on the press release and instead used the ones above, because I did overhear other guests saying over and over again 'It's a bit ethnic isn't it?', which is sort of like saying 'It's a bit international isn't it?' - what the heck does it mean??  Ethnic seems to be some sort of vague pothole where anything remotely 'foreign' and 'exotic' goes in and doesn't escape with any true meaning or definition.  Yes, the collections were infused with Mexican, Native American and perhaps Aztec/Inca type adornments which is all very well.  I just hope that E word doesn't come to play when the mags start talking up the clothes next season.

Anyhow, enough of the E word rant.  I'm rattling on for nothing seeing as the text is generally meaningless when faced with fresh pics...

So I'll get straight to the point with the shoes  which were again vertiginous and spindly with a contrasting huge platform... or lace up and colourful...

*Ahem* at the Louis Vuitton-esque nod of a shoe here...

If I can't get my hands on the Nicholas Kirkwood for Rodarte shoes (in process of begging Nicholas...), might plump for these ones...

I knew Emma Cook's ruffled S/S 09 shoes were coming out but I didn't know Preen were doing some delicate suede sandals... (the nude and navy ones)

Florals go pixelated and somehow bright and muted at the same time...

Clever visual effects eh?

Loud blazer Numero 1 goes into the wish list...

All things mop-like and fringey are still about...

My cage addiction might develop in the summer to a rope-cage...

British Style Genius must have injected a bit of patriotism into the TS design office... though with the flag ever so slightly faded and washed out, it somehow works...

If you can bear the heat, Rodarte-like knits will be around next year...

Topshop Unique's section didn't really have to be revisited as I did admittedly love the show but it's nice to see things up close...

Loud Blazer Numero 2 on the want list... come on, it's pastel hearts on cream satin!

For some reason, mesh and studded swimwear was catching my eye despite my refusal to bare too much flesh...

My favourite pieces though fell into the plain and loud areas with this jersey (grey but with a slight pale blue tinge...) blazer and these wide legged silk printed pants...

These better not go onto some 'ethnic headgear' page in Vogue next year...

The jewellery was on the obnoxious, deliberately tacky side of things with the fluro gems being my fave.