FIRST LOOK: BRITISH BEAUTY BLOGGER’S M&S MAKE-UP LINE
How exciting is this? Britain’s best beauty blogger (AKA British Beauty Blogger), Jane Cunningham has only gone and produced a makeup line with Marks & Spencer. It’s brilliant on lots of levels. (more…)
While there has been a lot of buzz around the M&S ad campaign and its infamous pink coat, there are other less shouty things going on in the store. Fabric innovation has always been a core M&S property and its lingerie department has been busy incorporating a whole bunch of solutions-based tech and design into its offer.
Such as its Hi Heel™ tights. No, not tights that have heels – that would be preposterous – but hosiery to wear with high heels. These tights (that come in a variety across sheers and opaques, £6-£15) have an integrated foam cushion to cup the ball of the foot, promising pain relief to fashionistas running around in 5-inch Loubs all day. (more…)
Christopher Kane is a hotter ticket than ever and some suggested there was evidence he’s been Kering-ed. Well, there were certainly a lot of entry-level sweatshirts on show, AKA the new product category that’s proved a winning formula for Kenzo and Givenchy. Along with the hologram dresses (above, what were they made of?) and revisited Princess Margaret pleat pieces, I was wowed by these epic applique pop art dresses. Just brilliant.
The best thing about the new M&S ad campaign (shot by Annie Leibowitz – what a coup!) is surely Grace Coddington in her mannish alabaster coat.
The all-star cast also includes Tracey Emin, Karen Elson and Olympic gold medal boxer Nicola Adams. A dramatic, last-ditched attempt at salvaging the brand? That’s what some people are saying and it’s true, times have been tricky lately, especially on the fashion front. This is certainly a bold move from Marks & Spencer to reclaim its place as one of our best loved retailers. Style director Belinda Earl has been busily rethinking the collections, pinning her hopes of success on M&S Collection. This is the rebrand of M&S Women, a considered collection that focuses on contemporary staples – with just fashionable enough proportions and colours to appeal to a fashion-literate customer without chasing trends. Let’s face it, M&S is in need of a clear identity and I think we’re all agreed that you can get your fix of neoprene sweatshirts from Zara and New Look; much better for Earl to up the ante in style and quality (and hopefully price) instead.
So the next few weeks will be pretty crucial for Earl and co, as the new collections drop and customers decide whether to buy…or not. Of course, next to tackle is the shop floor experience, but hey, baby steps, yeah? And should you want to get the Grace Coddington look (or Karen Elson’s, my second fave), all the campaign items are available to buy in Marks and Spencer stores and online at www.marksandspencer.com from next month.
In this picture, Coddington is wearing M&S Collection coat, £99; M&S Collection cardigan, £29.50; M&S Collection shirt, £25; M&S Collection treggings, £35; Autograph shoes £45. Here’s a closer look…
