Friday, 20th April 2012

Leeds Fashion Students win work experience with M&S Design Team

Three fourth year BA Fashion Design students from the University of Leeds have won prestigious work experience placements with the womenswear team at Marks & Spencer as part of a project to mark the opening of the new M&S Company Archive building at the University. Celebrating the permanent relocation of our Company Archive to Leeds, the project reflects one of our key aims - using the past to inform the future.

11 teams of Fashion Design students were challenged to create an innovative outfit featuring vintage M&S alongside pieces from the current M&S range. The winning outfit was created by Jinny Howarth, Lucy Murfet and Olivia Mills, and was a bright and bold ensemble inspired by the older M&S customer who is stylish yet eclectic. It comprised an original St Michael blouse, Limited Collection top and early per una jacket all sourced through eBay.

Narinda Leon, M&S Design Manager and one of the project judges said: “The standard was exceptionally high and I was incredibly impressed with the attention to detail each outfit contained. The winning outfit was chosen as it really reflects M&S’ design ethos of creating stylish clothes for women of all ages.”

David Backhouse, University of Leeds Fashion Design Programme Leader said: “The chance to work with a leading fashion retailer has been a fantastic opportunity for our students and they have really enjoyed researching the brand and using the archive to understand M&S’ design philosophy and evolving fashions. The archive is a fantastic resource for the university and will be of benefit to students across a range of departments.”