Last week I was invited along to see the M&S AW19 Launch show in London - not an invitation I'd usually be in a position to accept but the times worked and I had plenty of notice to get good flights and I was able to tie in a visit to a friend the day before. It was a case of the stars aligning and I jumped at the opportunity!
Instead of the usual look ahead press show that would happen at this time of year, the show was an official launch of the new AW19 range, so in lots of ways it was much more relevant to the bloggers and fashion press who attended. This collection is the first one that really has the influence of the new Womenswear team that has been in place for about a year now and I do think it looks more confident, more on trend and most importantly, it includes good building blocks - denim, coats, knitwear, trousers - things that M&S have been criticised for not having enough of in previous seasons.
What was great about this show was the styling. Housed in One Marylebone, a beautiful building which dates back to the 1800's and used to be an Anglican church, it drew you in around corners and through archways to various display points.
Navy leather! So difficult to get and the cut of this jacket is so flattering. It's not online yet but I'll add a link when it is:
You know my coat addiction...well it was well fed at this show. This checked one was my favourite:
Coat not yet online - similar here
This coat was the start of a new favourite colour combination - one that would work perfectly with my colouring - rusty camel with deep orange. Perfection....and it was to be seen across a number of the outfits:
Red features heavily with lots of tone-on-tone styling:
Textures were mixed beautifully also - this outfit has satin, velvet, super soft denim with a pony skin style cross body:
There was plenty of style clashes too - dresses with hiking boots and waxed jackets for instance:
Coat & Dress not yet online
This next dress would be a great Christmas Day options - it has a little bit of metallic in the fabric so can be dressed up or down. I'll add a link when it (and the beautiful boots!) are available on the website...
Lovely to see lots of print in the collection too - like in this satin pleated dress:
and as you probably already knew, animal print isn't going anywhere with lots more options this season to include cheetah and zebra style prints.
I've linked to what is available currently and anything without a link yet, watch this space! I'll update the post as I see them come on board.
The launch took place just a week after a successful denim launch and some of the new styles, Harper, Sophia and Carrie, were on show here. I particularly loved how they styled the Carrie skinny fit with the black stripe down the side in this casual outfit. All the love for the coat too!
(coat & shoes not yet available)
This reminded me that I'd not shared on the blog a quick try on that I had locally last week when I popped in to see the three new denim lines in person. There's a skinny fit Carrie jean which as well as the bling version above, is available in denim blue and black. Harper is the cigarette style jean - it's been selling really strongly...
and I started my try on with the Sophia - a straight cut jean that looks great turned up. I'm wearing the indigo blue here:
Sophia Super Soft Straight Leg (wearing the 12S)
Satin Flared Cuff Shirt (wearing the 12)
I thought the Sophia was going to be my favourite until I tried on the Harper. They're a 7/8 cigarette length so they're perfect with ankle boots over the winter AND with loafers now - and can we take a moment for the loafers? Beautiful - I ended up buying them after this try on. The reviews online are all 5 star.
Harper Super Soft Cigarette Jeans (wearing the 12S - I actually ended up buying the 12R)
Satin Flared Cuff Shirt (wearing the 12)
The third style is the Carrie skinny and it's a great option if you're looking a lovely soft stretchy skinny jean. This is the let down hem blue colour way and I'm wearing the 10S. I was asked by a few people if I preferred these to the Ivy Skinny and I'd say the Ivy is a more rigid denim - the Carrie is more super skinny.
The Carrie also comes in a bling colour way as I showed above from the press show - they're not really sparkly though and I don't think they should have called them bling. It's more like a metallic detail and it's perfectly wearable in daytime. They do look amazing with a black top and heels though for a night out..
Carrie Super Soft Bling Skinny Jeans (wearing the 10S)
Textured Regular Fit Twist Front Top (wearing the 10 - this comes up small)
And finishing back in the Harper (at this stage I'd decided I needed them in my life but I was trying to decide what size & colour) - these are the 10R in black. You can hopefully see here how well they go with ankle boots. I'm wearing them with the croc ankle boots I saw at the press show also. So comfortable....a great all rounder AW19 ankle boot if you need a new pair this season.
Since my try on, all three new lines have been selling strongly with many sizes sold out or low in stock online. I know there are still sizes available in store though - locally the full range is in Sprucefield.
But back to the press launch and the highlight of the day however wasn't the fashion (sorry M&S!) or the venue, it was catching up with Nikki from Midlife Chic. We first met about 5 years ago and have stayed in touch since, meeting up whenever we can, despite the distance. She's an amazing blogger and an amazing person and if you don't already follow her, you need to head over to her blog asap. She's a proper old-school blogger like me. Informed and insightful content that you will learn so much from. She's one of just 3 blogs I read regularly now...mainly because so many bloggers have moved to Instagram only content.
Whenever I have my doubts about blogging, I know Nikki is always at the end of the phone or an email and she invariably gets me back on track. We have very similar reasons for keeping this up year after year and the social side of it is a massive factor. Note to self - arrange an annual catch up that involves wine!
Finally, finally, here's what I wore to London. I stayed for one night and had two full days, all out of a handbag! I'm hoping this makes me the queen of minimalist packing....?!
Camel Blazer - Zara (preloved)
Leather Bar Trim Loafers - M&S
Bag - Zohara (AW18 - Gifted)
T-shirt - from a Gavin James gig a few years ago!
I hope you enjoyed that post - apologies to those of you who were asking for this sooner. Life got in the way...but better late than never!
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Disclaimer - this is not a paid post. I have used affiliate links which means that M&S can track them back to my blog and they may pay me a small commission if you buy and keep an item. This doesn't change the price for you and the modest income I make from these links helps to keep A Life to Style going. If you would rather not use my links, feel free to google but please don't click on a sponsored link there! They have enough money as it is!!
You are showing a good selection and looking lovely in everything. You are a modern classic in my book.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work.
Greetje
I've popped over here via Nikki's blog (Midlifechic) and am so pleased to have found a fab new blog to follow! As you were both saying how good those grey jeans are I have 'had' to order myself a pair ;-)
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