It is an exciting time for Marks & Spencer. A renewed confidence in its fashion offer has set it on an upward trajectory. In its interim results published on Wednesday (8 November), the business reported a 5.7% year-on-year increase in revenue at its clothing and home division, driven by strong sales of women’s denim and casual trousers sales as well as holiday season attire, while in August, M&S rejoined the FTSE 100 after falling out of the list the UK’s biggest listed companies in 2019.
After investing heavily in its third-party brands offering since 2020, M&S’s sights are now firmly on its in-house offer. Actress Sienna Miller was revealed as the face of its autumn/winter 23 campaign in September (below, left). The 41-year-old wears a selection of smart yet trend-led pieces such as a waistcoat, oversized blazer and cargo-shaped denim – in addition to an eye-catching lime green look that epitomises the new-found zest in the 139-year-old retailer’s fashion offering.
Womenswear director Maddy Evans is driving the renaissance. She joined M&S in 2019 as head of buying, and was named womenswear director in May 2022 when Jill Stanton retired. She joined as fashion director from Topshop, where she had worked since 2009.
Evans graduated from the BA Fashion Textiles: Print at Central Saint Martins in 1993, and was a former committee member of the British Fashion Council’s Newgen initiative while at Topshop.
Evans’ next mission is to make M&S the go-to destination for footwear. “Watch this space,” she tells Drapers. If the strappy silver Mary Jane platforms unveiled as part of the Christmas collection is anything to go by, consumers are in for a treat.
“We are focused on not only making the big bigger, but responding to trends and going after growth opportunities, such as footwear,” says Evans. “There are lots of exciting things to come in 2024 but right now I would describe us as positively dissatisfied.” She tells us about her fashion life.
Sienna Miller for Marks & Spencer autumn/winter 23
Where are you based and who do you live with?
I live in Hackney, east London, with my husband and teenage son. My daughter has recently moved out to start university.
I love how Hackney is a melting pot of cultures and creatives converging – it’s an incredible place for people watching. It also has the most wonderful Lido in London Fields – a real sanctuary for the community. For me there is nothing better than a winter morning swim to kickstart the body and mind.
What is the first thing you do in the morning?
Check my phone: news, weather, diary.
What is your coffee (or tea) order?
Two coffees in the morning, and milky tea in the afternoon.
How would you describe your style?
Smart casual. The older I get, the smarter I’ve become. I look for versatile wardrobe staples that are good quality and can last the test of time. I love a pair of great-fitting jeans and an ivory silk shirt. I try not to let the trends wear me.
What was your last fashion purchase?
A dark navy Autograph by M&S double-breasted blazer (below). It has the most flattering fit, perfect proportions, will last a lifetime and is versatile: dress it up with kitten heels or dress it down with flats and jeans. A modern classic, and mood- and confidence-enhancing piece. I feel ready to face the world in it.
M&S Autograph wool blend double-breasted blazer, £119
Do you prefer shopping online or in store?
I’m around clothes all day, so I love the experience of shopping in store where I can see pieces first hand: the quality, how they fall and the tiny details that make them special. But today, convenience is everything and we are spoilt for choice. When I am on a mission for a must-have piece or short of time, I’ll often shop online and opt for click and collect – which more than 60% of our customers choose – this allows me to have the best of both worlds.
What is the most treasured item in your wardrobe?
I have two: an M&S black crew-neck “lived in” super-soft, supe- luxurious cashmere jumper. I wear two sizes up for a roomier feel!
The second is a large cable jumper that one of my dad’s Norwegian friends gave to him in the 1970s. He passed it down to me and it’s incredibly warm – perfect for autumn/winter.
Which tool or app makes your work easier?
Spotify. I catch up and listen to podcasts when I run.
What is the last book you read?
I read A Little Life [below, by American novelist and travel writer] Hanya Yanagihara on my summer holiday – incredibly moving, incredibly long.
Who in the fashion retail industry inspires you?
Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard. Building an outdoor clothing business that last year was transferred to a specially designed trust and non-profit organisation to help save the earth.
Which songs help you get through the day?
I have an incredibly varied taste in music: I like songs that are nostalgic, but am equally influenced by my teenage children’s choices – from Kendrick Lamar to Roisin Murphey, Radiohead, Tame Impala.
What one piece of advice would you give your younger self?
Travel more extensively and have more self-belief.