Not since the 1960s has America experienced a “British Invasion” like the one that began in early 2012. Last year kicked off with the return of boy bands, summer put the focus on the Olympics, and by December, St. James’ Palace announced that Prince William and Duchess Catherine would be welcoming a royal baby into the world in 2013.
Don’t expect 2013 to be the end of the influx of British culture, either. Girl groups Little Mix and the Saturdays are on the rise in popularity, as are trendy clothing brands Topshop and Asos.
One Direction has taken America by storm over the past year with the release of two albums, both debuting at number one on the Billboard chart, a feat that not even The Beatles achieved during the height of their popularity. Harry, Niall, Liam, Zayn, and Louis came together to form the world’s hottest boy band on The X Factor UK, and were launched to superstardom with the help of none other than Simon Cowell.
Not only are the boys talented singer/songwriters, they are also five of the best dressed men in the industry. Look for 1D to sport their signature blazers, letterman jackets, and suspenders on their world tour starting in February.
All eyes were on London during the Summer Olympics as the world’s finest athletes came out in full force to represent their home countries in 26 sports. The best of Britain was celebrated during the opening and closing ceremonies including pop culture favorites James Bond, Harry Potter, and the music of The Beatles. The fashion of some of the best design houses in the UK from Alexander McQueen to Vivienne Westwood were showcased by the industry’s most notable supermodels Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss.
The Spice Girls paved the way for Little Mix and the Saturdays after they stepped onto the music scene in the 1990s and became the best-selling girl group in history. Little Mix got their start on the X Factor UK, similar to One Direction, when they were formed as a group in the show’s eighth season, and became the first group to win the competition. Columbia Records will release “Wings” as their first American single near the end of 2013.
Make way for The Saturdays as they are also set to take over America this year both on television and on the radio. They can be seen on their new reality show, “Chasing the Saturdays,” which follows the group as they try to make it big in the United States. Listen to their first single, “What About Us,” while you wait for their show to air every Sunday on E!.
Both groups also have killer style, so make sure to check out their performance and red carpet looks to add some British flair to your wardrobe. Take a cue from Little Mix if you want to experiment with bold makeup and brightly colored clothing, while The Saturdays are great inspiration for a glamorous night out.
Asos is consistently becoming more popular in America because of their trendy clothing from their own label and other established brands like French Connection and Moschino. A benefit of ordering from Asos is that shipping is free worldwide and refunds are offered within three days of returning your unwanted item.
At long last, Topshop is expanding its fashion empire in multiple locations across the United States. The retailer is a favorite among celebrities, and now the company known for its edgy prints and designer collaborations will be setting up shop in nearly 20 Nordstrom stores.
The recent spike in popularity of all things British isn’t about to slow down any time soon. In 2013, keep an eye out for a new royal baby, hot new girl groups, the best of British fashion, and some serious boy band hysteria.
