It has already been a momentous year for Marks & Spencer, from the spring collection that captured the attention of every fashion editor to the appointment of Gillian Anderson as its ‘Chief Compliments Officer’, which resulted in the highest-performing advert in the retailer's history. However, the launch of the summer collection may prove to be the most exciting development yet, with over a hundred fashion editors and influencers travelling to Ibiza for a runway show showcasing the season’s standout styles.
Bohemian Aesthetic Takes Centre Stage
Shaped by a modern, sun-washed bohemian aesthetic, the collection features fringing, warm browns, and softly faded tans. On the Ibizan runway, there was also an abundance of skin on display, including a sheer, sequinned green top worn over a bikini, and plenty of shorts. The black satin pair with lace hems are predicted to sell out rapidly.
Practicality and Affordability
Despite the skimpiness of some pieces, M&S has promised practicality across the summer range, which goes online at 7.15pm tonight. The collection offers ‘from the perfect co-ord that makes packing easy, to the dress that works just as well for festival afternoons as it does for last-minute dinner plans.’ Affordability is also a key focus, with over half of the womenswear priced at £30 or under.
Key Highlights: Linen and Accessories
Linen is a major highlight, available across tops, shirts, dresses, and trousers. There is also a strong emphasis on accessories, whether it is sleek leather toe-loop sandals or retro-cool jelly shoes. The catwalk show will be available for customers to watch this evening on the M&S website.
As for the audience at the show itself, there was only one label they were all sporting, and for once it was not a designer brand. Below, You magazine's fashion director Sophie Dearden-Howell and a selection of fashion editors share the chic M&S outfits they have been wearing in Ibiza, offering a glimpse of the season ahead.
- Sophie Dearden-Howell, fashion director at You magazine
- Dinah van Tulleken, the Daily Mail's fashion editor
- Kitty McGee, executive fashion and beauty director, Stylist
- Lara Grayson, senior fashion content creator at Fabulous
- Hattie Brett, editor of Grazia
- Angelo Mitakos, fashion editor at GQ
- Lottie Franklin, commercial content lead at Eliza
- Lily Russo-Bah, fashion director at Marie Claire
- Philippa Bloom, co-founder of @wearetwinset
- Fashion journalist Charlie Gowans-Eglinton
- Flossie Saunders, fashion editor at The Sunday Times Style
