M&S marks 100 years of fashion with London catwalk show

Key facts

• Marks & Spencer celebrated 100 years of selling fashion with its first London Fashion Week catwalk show.
• The collection featured contemporary styles with prices starting under £50.
• M&S womenswear director Maddy Evans described the style message as "fashion with a small f, not a capital F".
• The show included nods to M&S's archives, such as a reworked twinset and a lace two-piece set.
• Models of diverse ages and body sizes were chosen to reflect M&S's customer base.
• The brand is now ranked second in style perception, behind Zara.

Marks & Spencer marked a century of selling fashion with its inaugural London Fashion Week catwalk show, held at the Design Museum for 310 guests. The event aimed to bridge the gap between high fashion and everyday wear, showcasing a collection that blended contemporary trends with M&S's heritage.

Maddy Evans, M&S womenswear director, described the collection's ethos as "fashion with a small f, not a capital F." The styles featured sharp kilts, slouchy denim, and a neutral color palette with pops of red, while also incorporating elements of catwalk theatre such as a short skirt and faux fur stoles. Notably, half of the collection's pieces were priced under £50, with the most expensive item, a leather coat, retailing for £450. This approach was seen as a win for London Fashion Week, which has struggled to remain relevant to consumers amid soaring designer prices.

The collection drew inspiration from M&S's archives, including a reworked twinset and a sage-green lace two-piece set. Models of diverse ages and body sizes were selected to represent the brand's 23 million customers. The show also featured Lennon Gallagher modeling a grey office suit, and M&S's menswear included chore jackets. The brand is now positioned second in style perception, behind Zara.

Celebrities like Joan Collins and Kemi Badenoch were present, with Collins praising the coats and Badenoch eyeing a tuxedo jacket. Following the show, guests enjoyed catering that included smoked salmon finger sandwiches and champagne.