Marks & Spencer celebrated 100 years of selling fashion with a groundbreaking London Fashion Week catwalk show, proving that high street style can hold its own on the runway. The event, held at the Design Museum, marked M&S's first-ever appearance at LFW and signaled a bold new direction for the iconic British retailer.
A Star-Studded Affair
The show attracted 310 guests, including celebrities like Joan Collins, Kemi Badenoch, Ian Wright, and Jamie Carragher. Collins praised the coats as "very chic" and had her eye on a graceful ivory evening dress with caped shoulders, while Badenoch planned to snap up the classic black tuxedo jacket. Their enthusiasm suggests that M&S's gamble to blend fashion credibility with mass appeal might just pay off.
Fashion with a Small 'f'
Maddy Evans, M&S womenswear director, described the style message as "fashion with a small f, not a capital F." The collection featured sharp kilts instead of flouncy tiered skirts and low-rise slouchy denim replacing mom jeans, offering a fresh yet accessible look. A judicious amount of catwalk theatre was added with some sauce—a very short skirt, the odd semi-visible nipple—and zeitgeisty styling like faux fur stoles and Charli xcx-adjacent sunglasses.
Price Points That Stun
The real stunner is the price. All clothes in the collection went on sale as the show began, with half of the pieces under £50. The most expensive item, a leather coat, retails for £450. This reinforces the message that catwalk style is for everyone, a win for both the brand and consumers.
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Leather Coat | £450 |
| Evening Dress | Under £100 |
| Kilts | Under £50 |
| Denim | Under £50 |
Key Takeaways
- M&S's first LFW show celebrates 100 years of fashion.
- Celebrity endorsements from Joan Collins and Kemi Badenoch boost credibility.
- Affordable pricing with half the collection under £50.
- Blend of high fashion and high street appeal.
- Immediate availability of runway looks.
FAQ
What was the significance of M&S's London Fashion Week show?
It marked M&S's first-ever LFW catwalk show, celebrating 100 years of selling fashion and demonstrating that high street style can be showcased on a high-fashion platform.

How affordable is the collection?
Half of the pieces are priced under £50, with the most expensive item, a leather coat, retailing at £450.
Who attended the show?
Celebrities like Joan Collins, Kemi Badenoch, Ian Wright, and Jamie Carragher were in attendance, among 310 guests.