Miss Selfridge offers feminine clothes that are both exciting and details-driven to make each limited edition a statement outfit. Photo courtesy of Miss Selfridge Philippines.
Sophie Sumner may have won in the recently concluded Cycle 18 of America’s Next Top Model—a Brit toppling the other contenders and grabbing the crown from the Americans—but another Brit, Miss Selfridge, is making her presence felt in the Philippine fashion scene.
Miss Selfridge, a British brand, recently arrived in town to open its first boutique in Greenbelt 5 in Makati City. Miss Selfridge first began in the 1960s as a fashion section for the young in the Selfridges and Co. department store in London. It was later acquired by the Arcadia group (owner of Topshop, Topman, and Dorothy Perkins) in the late 90’s. The brand was brought here thanks to Robinsons Specialty Stores, which also handles Topshop, Topman, and Dorothy Perkins.
“We want to bring in the young, flirty and feminine side of British fashion on top of our current brands,” says Vanessa Domingo, brand manager of Miss Selfridge. “British fashion always has an edge to it,” stresses Vanessa. This new brand certainly is no different in terms of offering unconventional designs.
In fact, she describes the brand as “quite an individualist, I think that this would stand out and would work well with the market.”
Whimsical outfits by Miss Selfridge. Photo courtesy of Miss Selfridge Philippines.
“Miss Selfridge is definitely about going out, but not just for a night out. It is more of having fun dressing up anywhere you go, whichever occasion you attend to, and at anytime of the day,” she says. Miss Selfridge key pieces could also be statement wear because its stores’ one-of-a-kind tops and dresses that have amazing detail work.
Feather Swirl Bardot dress by Miss Selfridge. Photo courtesy of Miss Selfridge Philippines.
“We offer fashion products with a lot of detailing unique to Miss Selfridge,” says Vanessa. “There is always some sheer, embellishments, draping, pleats, and other details in our garments. More than these details, our prints are also developed by the in-house design team in the UK, so you won’t find these styles anywhere.”
Evidently so, the store lights up with a wonderful collection of colors mostly in pastels and fantastic finds in prints such as floral and Aztecs or amazing mix of solid colors.
Apart from this, Vanessa states there are various elements put into each fashionable item. Like in its most recent collection, “now, we have a lot of peplums, skater, drop hems, mesh, cut-outs or embellishment details in the range,” she says.
“Dresses are essential for the Miss Selfridge range,” states Vanessa. “You will not see the styles in a redundant way because of the variety and detailing put into each piece.” The devil is in the details. Definitely, you won’t walk out of here, buying any regular little black dress.
“We actually have a category of dresses called 18-hour dresses that are perfect from day to night,” she adds.
Neon embellished dress by Miss Selfridge. Photo courtesy of Miss Selfridge Philippines.
But if some local shoppers fear that the some of the sizes may be too big or “too European,” fear not as, Vanessa advises, “Miss Selfridge also has a special collection for petites—perfect for a lot of Filipinas. And some of the good finds in store include heels and going out accessories to compliment the outfits in store.”
The store promises to keep itself updated with new arrivals that go with each current fashion season. “The [collection] will, of course, evolve as the next season comes up—whether in color, print or silhouette. And, these [upcoming] dresses are not to be expected just for a night out or for special occasions there is also something for the office or just a casual day in school or the mall.”
