Shepherdson: 'I agreed on Moss deal'

Former Top Shop director Jane Shepherdson insists she is "embarrassed" by claims she quit the British fashion chain store over rows regarding supermodel Kate Moss.

Shepherdson left the firm last week after eight successful years, having boosted sales to $1bn (€798,000).

It was claimed Shepherdson was furious when billionaire Philip Green, head of Topshop's parent company Arcadia, hired Moss to model for the store, supposedly without consulting her.

However, Shepherdson has hit back, saying: "It is absolutely not true. I like Kate and I find it embarrassing that people think I left over a row about a supermodel. It is a shame that people think I am that trivial.

"I took over the brand in 1998, it is now 2006. It is time for someone else to take the reins. It has been a great challenge. We have done a lot of things, but it is time for me to do something else.

"I agreed with Philip on lots of things and I disagreed on some things. But we didn't disagree about Kate Moss."