British retailer Marks & Spencer surprises with an insane cast of well-known UK celebrities in its new fall clothing campaign. Annie Leibovitz shot stars Grace Coddington, who also styled the shoot, as well as legendary actress Helen Mirren, model Karen Elson, artist Tracey Emin, popstar Ellie Goulding, singer/songwriter Laura Mvula, TV Presenter/Writer Katie Piper, Writer/Journalist Monica Ali, ballerina Darcey Bussell, Gold Medalist Nicola Adams, 2011’s ‘Nurse of the Year’ Helen Allen and charity activist Jasmine Whitbread. tFS forum members were impressed with the top-notch casting for this campaign and enjoyed the images set in typically British sceneries.
“That’s a great ad campaign. Loved it! Tracey Emin rules! Love her,” wrote glamrockgal.
“Absolutely adore this,” added Kite.
And ChanelCouture09 noted, “I do really like this, it’s very M&S — I’m wondering if there will be an accompanying TV campaign like they usually have, I’m hoping so.”
“M&S are pulling out the big guns to try and ensure their clothing relaunch for AW13 goes well. The visuals are getting a big overhaul, if you go in store now the main range is fronted by Carolyn Murphy. It’s about time! They also have Rosie [Huntington Whiteley] with her lingerie range and ad campaign too. Think they’ve dropped Ryan Reynolds from Autograph though,” posted honeycombchild.
It’s interesting to see a retailer nabbing such a stellar cast and developing a new image that seems somewhat overly ambitious considering the usual target audience and clientele of Marks & Spencer. But if the result of the overhaul is a set of campaign images as powerful as these, it’s hard to find anything to criticize. Concept and execution are flawless and this campaign is a definite hit!
