TOPModel – Which Book for Which Child
Here the product is not something you look at – it is something you do. Which is why the choice matters.
Techbox, Thessaloniki
What it actually is
TOPModel is a brand from the German company Depesche. And it stands apart from almost everything else in the shop for one reason:
There is no film. There is no series. It is not something a child watches.
It is an activity: the child draws, colours, sticks, makes. The product gets used – it does not sit on a shelf.
It is aimed mainly at girls aged 6 to 12 who enjoy drawing and making things.
The characters – Lizzy, Fergie and their friends – have no plot to follow. They are figures the child designs onto.
Which book for which child
This is where most mistakes happen. The books look the same but ask entirely different things of the child:
Ready-made drawings; the child simply colours them in. The easiest – ideal for younger children or anyone not yet drawing.
Printed figures and sheets of sticker clothing. The child dresses the figures. No drawing skill needed.
The child draws it themselves, with stencils, pattern paper and step-by-step tutorials. For someone who genuinely wants to learn.
The rule: if the child already draws on their own, get a design book – simple colouring will bore them. If they do not draw, start with Dress Me Up: it produces a result without demanding skill.
The code-locked diaries
Among the brand's most popular products, and worth knowing exactly what they do.
They have a lock with a four-digit code that the child sets themselves.
And when opened with the correct code, they play music for around twenty seconds.
They are one of the few gifts a child of this age feels is genuinely their own – with a secret of their own.
What else there is
The brand is not only books:
- Pens & markers: with glitter, neon and special effects.
- Jewellery & hair accessories: including kits to make their own.
- Beauty: children's cosmetics, nail sets.
- Bags & school gear: pencil cases, backpacks, stationery.
- Mugs, plush and gifts.
If the child loves creative play but not fashion, see the Kawaii collection or Tinka.
Gift guide
A colouring book or a Dress Me Up with stickers.
A design book with stencils, or a code-locked diary.
A design book and a set of special markers.
A pencil case, a jewellery kit or glitter markers.
Frequently asked questions
- What exactly is TOPModel?
- A creative-products brand from the German company Depesche. There is no film or series – it is design books, diaries, stationery and accessories on a fashion theme, for children who enjoy making things.
- What is the difference between the books?
- Colouring books have ready-made drawings to colour in. Dress Me Up books have figures and sticker clothing. Design books ask the child to draw it themselves, with stencils and tutorials.
- What do the code-locked diaries do?
- They have a lock with a four-digit code the child sets, and they play music for around twenty seconds when opened correctly.
- What age are they for?
- Most products are aimed at 6 to 12. Note that some contain small parts and are not suitable for children under three – always check the packaging.
- Where can I find TOPModel products in Thessaloniki?
- At the Techbox store (Al. Papanastasiou 100) and online at techbox.com.gr. You can order online and collect from the store with no shipping cost.
