Next has bought fashion brand Lipsy for £17.4 million.

Lipsy, which already sells through the Next Directory, also sells in Topshop and several other high street and catalogue retailers. It has a turnover of around£20 million.

Lipsy will open its first standalone store in Brent Cross next month.

In a statement, Next said that Lipsy would continue to supply its products to current suppliers but will not sell in Next stores, although it will continue selling in Next Directory.

Next chief executive Simon Wolfson said: “We are delighted to welcome Lipsy to the Next group and look forward to helping develop their business in the years ahead.”

Lipsy chief executive Jeremy Stakol said: “The prospect of working with one of the UK's leading fashion retailers to accelerate the development of Lipsy is exciting. Next's sourcing, supply chain, systems and logistics are among the best in the industry and we look forward to working with Next's experienced management team.”