MANCHESTER became the first city to host a London Fashion Week show outside of the capital on Thursday 26 February.
"London Fashion Week is one of the biggest events in the fashion calendar, so we wanted to do something in collaboration with British Fashion Council to mark our involvement"
For the 61st London Fashion Week, its new official sponsor, Marks and Spencer, packed up the catwalk and headed up the M40 to bring Manchester city centre a taste of the action.
Olympic gymnast Beth Tweddle and Hollyoaks actress Nicole Barber-Lane were in attendance to watch the one-off show at Marks and Spencer at Exchange Square. The long-standing high-street brand showcased its spring/summer looks encapsulating the best of the trends emerging on the London catwalks. Body Confidential made it to the front row.
M&S
To start, a film presented by stylist Caryn Franklin detailed the highlights from the LFW Autumn/Winter shows and forecasted the Spring/Summer seasons upcoming trends; embellishments, florals and 60 and 70s silhouettes are making a come-back along with the flared jean.
The Manchester M&S catwalk - which featured local models - included a Best Of British collection made in the UK with mostly British made fabrics. There's also to be lots of relaxed tailoring this summer, with subtle florals and a retro revival.
Suede making a comeback
Belinda Earl, Style Director at M&S, said before the show: “London Fashion Week is one of the biggest events in the fashion calendar and so we wanted to do something in collaboration with British Fashion Council to mark our involvement.
"Manchester is the first city that has taken London Fashion Week outside of the capital and we are looking forward to showing customers what they might be wearing come the Autumn as well as presenting the best of our own Spring/Summer 15 collections on a live catwalk, showcasing innovations and the quality M&S is known for."
All clothes are available in store and on the website now.
Style Director, Belinda Earl
