It’s press day time again – the biannual month where all the brands, from River Island to Ralph Lauren, present their next season collections to the press. So, just when I have finally succumbed to a coat and scarf, I am now spending my days looking at next Spring’s sunglasses, swimsuits and tiny shorts. Such is the bizarre nature of the fashion industry.
Most press days tend to fall on a Wednesday or Thursday, which means there can be up to 20 different brands showing in one day, all at different venues across London. Clearly you have to be selective. Yesterday I managed only a handful, which ranged from Jaeger’s new offerings shown at the gorgeous Somerset House to Marks and Spencer’s at One Marylebone. I also popped by Flax PR and Reiss who each presented lovely garments for next spring (vintage clothing and homeware by Cabbages & Roses from the former, and feather prints, pistachio green and minimal white suiting from the later).
The one that really caught my eye yesterday however was Marks & Spencer. I have a huge affinity for the store. I fondly remember buying their prawn and mayonnaise sandwiches as a teenage treat on a busy Saturday shopping with my friends. Equally, my gran, who I love dearly, would give us a voucher for the store every year as our birthday gift. Whilst I possibly would have preferred one for Miss Selfridge or Next at the time, that paper voucher (this was before the current card vouchers) was carefully spent and much deliberated upon.
So to yesterday’s press day, which I think was one of the best I have seen from the brand. Not only was the venue stunning but the clothes were organised into clearly defined (and very photogenic) trend groups, which ranged from the impactful White Out to the pastel Pretty Things. Other trends included Worldwide (prints and tribal influences), Paint Box (bold brights) and 90s Luxe (oversized layers of Celine inspired minimalism). So those are the themes that M&S is predicting for next season. I loved it and I really hope that the collection is as well received by the consumer next February as it was by the press this week. Check out the pictures below and let me know your thoughts…
Trend 1 at Marks & Spencer SS14 Press Day – White Out
Trend 2 at Marks & Spencer – Worldwide (read prints and tribal) – I love this bird print bomber!
Trend 3 at Marks & Spencer – Pretty things
I love this white lace midi dress and the sheer panelled pencil skirt
M&S’s take on the Victoria Beckham oversized drop-waist dress
Bold colours dominate Trend 4 – Paintbox. The pink leather T-shirt is a stand-out piece for me.
Trend 5 – 90s Luxe is a key theme across lots of brands for SS14
The clothes seen above will not be available until next Spring. This is only a preview to give you a taste of what is to come. To shop the current collection, including the fabulous Best of British range, go to www.marksandspencer.com
Stylitz 