In conversation with M&S’ head buyer

We sit down with the head buyer from Marks & Spencer to get a sneak peek of this season’s 70s inspired collection

What would you say to any young person trying to get into fashion buying?

I would say study because it really helps you understand the key tasks and skills required to become successful. I would also advise doing as many internships as possible and if you can travel while doing so even better. I studied at university in England for example and then attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan, New York, and it was during my time in New York that really inspired me. I was attending lectures by many leading designers from Marc Jacobs to Oscar De La Renta, all of which influenced me to go into fashion buying and forge a great career.

How has working with Marks & Spencer over the last 10 years shaped your perception of fashion?

The fashion landscape and our lifestyles are ever changing but what remains consistent is that women want stylish, fashionable, wearable, comfortable and versatile collections. And that’s why the team and I continue to review and work on collections to ensure there is a clear definition and appeal that meets the needs of every woman.

Marks & Spencer is an accessible brand with product that is long-lasting, how do you see womenswear in Marks & Spencer evolving over the next few years as buyer habits evolve?

Sustainability is something that is a huge talking point now and will become even more important in the next few years. It is an area that Marks & Spencer has been passionate about for many years and we currently offer a variety of sustainable options within our collections. Our newest addition is stylish vegan shoes, as well as accessories, which we will continue to expand on over the coming seasons. We know our customers want every product they buy from us to care for people and the planet, so we are working to improve the products we sell, ensuring they all have a positive social and environmental story to tell.

What is your favourite pick from the modest wear collection and why?

I’m obsessed with our new horse-shoe print, that plays into the seventies. It’s a fun and fashionable take on seventies dressing and the print comes in our longline pussy bow blouse, maxi shirt dress and kimono, all perfect layering styles.

As you have had a colourful career in fashion, what has kept you at Marks & Spencer for 10 years?

Delivering for our customers. During my time at Marks & Spencer its been great developing localised fits, creating market relevant edits and launching and working on international collections for the brand, including Modest and Ramadan.

Do you have any exciting collaborations you can tell us about?

This year, Marks & Spencer is celebrating its seven-year anniversary with supermodel, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, with a selection of must-have pieces across lingerie and sleepwear.

As a global trends expert, where do you see the trends going for the next season?

SS20 will all be about the modern conscious, sustainability and diversity. White hues and relaxed dressing will continue, as will the influence of utility and sportswear. In contrast there is a soft femininity in vintage-inspired prints and prairie detailing, which we can’t wait to put our own twist on.

How do you think Marks & Spencer translates to the regional woman?

Well this year marks our fifth Modest collection and we’ve seen such great customer response across the region to the collection. Not only do we offer ready to wear pieces, with features such as longer hemlines, sleeves and higher necklines, but we develop the collection each season with on trend prints and colour palettes, so our customers always look effortlessly stylish. We always make responding to our customer’s needs a priority and do this by designing pieces they love. Our maxi dress shape and kimonos are a great example of this, where we’ve seen this shape become a best-seller and for AW19 we have invested in including more of these pieces for our customers.

We also offer shoppers clever innovations, which are perfect for the warmer weather. Whether it’s Cool Comfort™ finish in our linen, UPF50+ protection in our swimwear thanks to Sun Smart, or our StaySoft™ technology, which means your essentials stay soft, wash after wash – we have the whole family covered. Better still, 100% of our cotton comes from sustainable sources and we’ve even gone the extra mile by offering a range of babywear made from 100% organic cotton, which we know mothers will love.