London Fashion Week may have been the world's opportunity to see some of the best designer brands we have on offer, but one must not forget the power of the great British High Street; this week saw Marks & Spencer unveil their latest Best of British Collection, set to hit stores in August.
The brand's debut LFW event celebrated the Best of British design, fabric and manufacturing; AW14 is the first collection developed by the M&S in-house design team based at the newly-opened M&S Studio in Shoreditch. Synonymous with quality and outstanding design Best of British is dedicated to supporting home grown talent and expertise. Using Marks & Spencer’s unique archive and rich history as a starting point, the collection is a modern exploration of heritage sensibility, as classic shaping is re-imagined with a contemporary aesthetic. Autumn 14 sees jacquard florals meet herringbone and checks in a fusion of modernity and the traditional. A strong silhouette, bold print & superior attention to detail underpin the spirit of this collection. Earthy hues and vivid colour highlights define the palette, as soft navy and warm rust are offset with hot red and royal blue in a luxurious and vibrant Autumn representation.
The collection consists of 54 pieces, including outerwear, leather accessories and footwear and is manufactured in Britain with selected fabrics carefully sourced from British suppliers; including knitwear from Scotland, outerwear from Manchester and footwear from Northamptonshire.
Since 2013 Marks & Spencer has been the lead partner of the British Fashion Council’s Positive Fashion initiative, a bid to support and encourage positive change within the fashion industry through best practice and nurturing home grown talent. The Best of British Collection is a commitment to this initiative, championing Great British style, design and manufacturing.
Prices range from £19.50 for a leather cuff to £349 for a wool coat. The range will be available from August in selected stores, internationally and online at www.marksandspencer.com
Love Laurel x
