Lou Lou Chats with the Marks & Spencer design team

 Last month I posted about the fabulous new Marks & Spencer collections for Autumn/Winter 2013. I can't wait for the collections to arrive instore from July, but in the mean time, I took the opportunity to quiz some of the Marks & Spencer design team about their favourite pieces and to ask them for their top tips.

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What are your favourite pieces from the new collections?  How would you style them?

“The full structured skirt is one of next winter’s most fashion-forward looks, with a half or full circle silhouette and below the knee length creating an elegant, retro inspired mood.  The per una rose brocade dress is my favourite interpretation of this with its deep red tones and sweeping skirt.  Wear it on its own as a show-stopping evening gown or style with a cashmere polo neck to emulate a demure 1950s look.”

 - Karen Peacock, Head of Design, per una, Indigo & Accessories

“Rounded, unstructured and gently cocooning, the M&S Collection pink duster coat is my favourite outerwear statement for the new season.  Soft silhouettes were a key catwalk direction making this M&S Collection coat the perfect update for winter.  My favourite thing about this coat is that you can style it up in any way you choose from a smart tailored trouser or pencil skirt worn to the office or draped over the shoulders of a beautiful party dress.”

 - Neil Hendy, Head of Design, M&S Collection

Sum up the new collections in 3 words

"Stylish, affordable, luxury." - Karen Peacock

"Great quality, feminine design." - Neil Hendy

What makes these collections different from previous seasons?

Karen Peacock: We’ve injected some love back in to our brands and focused on their brand signatures to ensure that every product in each of our collections has been designed specifically with our customers in mind.

Neil Hendy: In the autumn we introduce M&S Collection which will offer customers the very best choice in confident, stylish clothing.  The new collection will offer a considered edit of stylish wardrobe essentials with a renewed focus on great quality, everyday clothing making it easier for our customer to shop and navigate our stores.

 

What pieces do you think every woman needs in her wardrobe?

Karen Peacock: No woman should be without a beautiful leather handbag to complete her look. Our Autograph leather bags are beautifully designed with luxurious detailing and buttery soft leather to last from season to season.

Neil Hendy: Every woman should own a perfect black trouser and our premium range of Italian wool trousers cover the 5 Key Shapes of the season - superslim, slim crop, modern bootcut, wide leg and straight leg.  Designed to flatter the figure and made of luxurious Italian virgin wool these are the ultimate wardrobe staple whatever the season’s trends have in store.

What is your AW13 wardrobe essential piece?

Karen Peacock: "Statement earrings will update any outfit for the season ahead, moving the oversized jewellery trend away from the neckline and bringing a new focus to framing the face.”

Neil Hendy: “The coat is going to be the biggest wardrobe statement for the new season and there are so many great new styles on offer.  From the softly cocooning silhouette of the M&S Collection duster coat to the more fashion-forward biker there is something to suit every woman’s style this season.”

What is your number one piece of fashion advice?

Karen Peacock: “Always buy the best possible quality that you can afford.  Whatever the catwalks dictate for the season ahead, nothing beats a luxurious, beautifully designed item of clothing or stand out accessory to make you feel special.”

Neil Hendy:  “Be aware of your body and the styles that flatter your figure.  No matter what the trends are for the season you can always find a way to work them into your wardrobe if you’ve got your style foundations right.”

Top Marks : Marks & Spencer Autumn/Winter 2013 Collection

It is not every high-street womenswear collection which makes the front page of the national broadsheets. But then again, not every store can lay claim to playing a part in the lives (and wardrobes) of generations of British families. Ladies and gentleman, I give you Marks & Spencer - purveyor of clothing to British households since 1884.

Over the last few years the brand has struggled to halt the decline in sales. However it looks like that is all about to change, with the store's collections for Autumn/Winter 13: Modern Elegance, London Calling, Wild Opulence, Femme Fatale & Dark Drama. These directional collections mark a return to the brand's heritage, core values and focus on high quality. The change in direction is all down to the brand's new Style Director, Belinda Earls. Belinda, formerly of Debenhams and Jaeger, has put a lot of effort into exploring the needs of the company's customers and re-discovering what Marks & Spencer means to them.

The outfit above was the first of the looks that I saw. I absolutely LOVE this look. Simple silhouettes, brought to life in some of my favourite colours, not to mention a skirt in my absolute favourite print!

I think that this look is perfect for the office, but would also be great for going out after work. I am totally drawn to the cobalt colour of the skirt. I need it in my closet!

This outfit reminds me of Sandro, which is known for its laidback but edgy rock chick feel. However I can also imagine wearing the jumper with a simple pair of black trousers for work, or wearing the jacket over a classic monochrome outfit.

I love the combination of textures in this look, and how the bright colours of the scarf really lifts the outfit.

Statement sweater styles have been a big hit for Spring/Summer, and it looks like this will be a style we can carry on wearing well into next season. I think that this would be a really versatile piece. I can see me swapping the black trousers for some boyfriend jeans to give a different feel to the look.

I absolutely love the new direction that Marks & Spencer have taken with these collections. In my opinion a number of the pieces could pass for high-end designer pieces from the catwalk. Sadly I haven't been able to see the pieces in the flesh, (or should that be fabric?!), but as soon as these collections arrive in store in July I will be trying them on for size ( and style). I look forward to reporting back!

Which pieces have caught your eye? Which pieces do you think that I should invest in?

Free £5 Marks & Spencer voucher

Tomorrow, Thursday 9th May, take any unwanted clothes to your nearest Marks & Spencer and you'll receive a voucher for £5 off your next £35 spend in-store and a code to use online at www.marksandspencer.com by the 20th May. 

The offer doesn't include donations of swimwear, underwear, socks or damaged or soiled items. All donated clothing will be donated to Oxfam.

I have spotted a few great pieces on the Marks & Spencer website, so this couldn't have come at a better time. Not to mention the fact that I recently had a wardrobe clear-out, so have now found the perfect home for my cast-offs!

Let me know what you use your voucher for by posting in the comment box below or tweeting me @LouiseHartrey with #louloushwops .

50% off Lyn Harris Fragrance Gift Sets & Candles

Lyn Harris is the face, or should that be the nose, behind Miller Harris, the bespoke niche perfume brand. However her fragrances have been able to reach a wider audience as a result of her recent collaboration with Marks & Spencer. Her new range, Lyn Harris, has been Marks & Spencer's fastest selling fragrance brand since its launch in September.

The range comprises six fragrances - three for women and three for men:

La Poudrée - A fruity oriental classic. Raspberry and peach nectar with soft rose and orange flower on a base of Florentine iris, vanilla and musk.

La Rose - An elegant rose classic. Rose petals with sparkling green notes of galbanum and red berry on a base of patchouli, sweet musk and amber.

La Fleur - A white floral classic. White gardenia and Indian tuberose flowers set the tone with gentle woods, vanilla bourbon and musk.

Le Cologne - A vibrant citrus classic. Sicilian bergamot, lemon and Seville orange with French rosemary on a base of fresh vetiver and amber.

Le Sauvage - An invigorating zesty classic. Grapefruit and Seville orange with cardamom and coriander seeds on a base of oakmoss and vetiver.

Le Noir - A rich woody classic. Italian bergamot, green mandarin with lavender and tarragon on a base of pimento, patchouli and rich amber.

I have been wanting to try this range since I heard about it, and thanks to a fantastic offer at Marks & Spencer this week, I finally got around to adding one of these to my collection. This week Marks & Spencer are offering a 50% discount on selected beauty gifts. This means that I was able to get a 50ml Eau de Parfum and matching body lotion for £12.50! The Eau de Parfum retails for a very reasonable £25, but it was a bit of a no brainer to pick up the set for half that price!

I opted for La Poudrée as I have seen some really good reviews of it on the web. I love to scent my home with candles, so coudn't resist picking up a La Fleur candle which was also half price. I am collecting them instore tomorrow so will report back!