GUESTS AT Marks Spencer’s autumn/winter show in The Warehouse, Barrow Street, last night got a preview of the group’s new TV campaigns, including a raunchy advert showing a girl dressing for her first date from her underwear up, while the other featured sultry actress Charlotte Weston getting ready for dinner and selecting a Per Una dress.
The event also marked M&S’s new clothes scrappage scheme taking place today, where stores will take items for Oxfam. Those donating get a €7 voucher when they spend €50 on fashion in-store, redeemable until the end of this month.
The big show, styled by Catherine Condell, encompassed most of the season’s trends, from cocoon coats in bold colours to graphic print and polka dot dresses, faux furs, chunky Fair Isle knits and sharp tailoring with predictable 1940s, 1960s and 1970s vintage references.
“Two years ago we would have been frightened to death of red chinos,” said Annette Brown, trading director of womenswear. “But they have been best sellers and customers are now working bright colours into their wardrobes, but in toned down berry shades,” she added.
There were many options in winter coats, from wide-sleeved bright orange or red wool cocoon coats for €135, to military style numbers in black or navy cashmere and wool mixes for €120 along with shaggy faux furs and shearlings for about €120.
Tailored items were good value if safe as were jersey dresses and softer, unstructured cardigan jackets. Teal is a shade best avoided, but notable items included a cute, long-sleeved berry print tea dress for €60, a more formal black lace shift with cream silk Autograph underskirt for €88 and a shapely Per Una coat with ruffle collar for €175.