LONDON, 2015-10-8 — /EPR Retail News/ — M&S is announcing a new partnership with sustainable brand expert and campaigner Livia Firth and her consultancy Eco-Age to bring to life for its customers its well established eco and ethical fashion credentials.
M&S has been long recognised for its work in developing an eco and ethical business model, this partnership marks a commitment to highlight consistently products made with integrity, demonstrating that style and integrity fit perfectly together.
Working closely with the M&S buying and design teams, Livia has put together a capsule wardrobe to meet the working woman’s needs, all taken from the retailer’s existing Autumn clothing collections. Each item represents one or more examples of M&S working with integrity, from being made in a specifically accredited factory, to being made of sustainably sourced fabrics. The Edit, handpicked by Livia and fully assessed by Eco-Age features a range of wardrobe essentials, including two looks for the office, one for the evening and a weekend outfit. By selecting from its main collections the retailer aims to highlight how integrity is woven into the fabric of the business.
The work wear looks team navy pinstripe culottes with a roll neck cream sweater and dark burgundy flats to create an easy but smart work outfit while the Autograph navy and white print dress could easily go from day to night. Skinny jeans paired with cosy wool rich Per Una jacket and lambswool sweater make the perfect outfit for casual autumn weekends. For a glamorous party or cocktail outfit the Per Una Speziale figure-hugging red dress with zip feature provides the perfect solution.
Also included are key wardrobe essentials from coats to jeans to simple jersey pieces and an easy to wear day dress.
Livia said: “I am so excited to finally be partnering with a high street retailer and it was very clear to us why it had to be M&S. I have very much admired the astonishing work that M&S has done over the years – seriously, transparently and with huge commitment throughout the whole company – in both environmental and social justice. On top of this, the M&S eye to quality in its garments and production cycles means this is not fast fashion. I have been an M&S customer for many years and I look forward to now telling the wonderful stories behind their clothes.”
Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne, Executive Director Marketing added: “Livia and her team have the most incredible knowledge of the challenges of making fashion sustainable and it has been a mutually beneficial experience working with her to select this edit of her favourite pieces from our autumn ranges. This is a great partnership to bring to life the lengths we go to on all our products and the importance of integrity at the heart of our business.”
The Edit will be on sale from 8 October in 13 stores and online at www.marksandspencer.com
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For further information, please contact:
Tania Littlehales,
Head of Product PR, Marks & Spencer
020 8718 2098
Tania.littlehales@marks-and-spencer.com
Harriet Vocking,
Head of Marketing and Communications, Eco-Age
020 8895 7611
Harriet.vocking@ecoage.com
About M&S INTEGRITY & Plan A
We believe in doing business with integrity.
We aim to source all our products responsibly.
We only work with suppliers who share our values.
We treat people fairly and with respect.
Those are the principles that underscore everything we do.
Plan A is the eco and ethical programme M&S launched in 2007 that tackles both today’s and tomorrow’s sustainable retail challenges. The plan has helped M&S send no waste to landfill, become carbon neutral and win over 200 industry awards.
To find out more please visit the M&S website –www.marksandspencer.com/integrity
About Eco-Age
Eco-Age is a Brand Consultancy that helps businesses grow by creating, implementing and communicating bespoke sustainability solutions.
Livia Firth is the Creative Director of Eco-Age, the sustainability brand consultancy and founder of the Green Carpet Challenge® (GCC).
As an Oxfam Global Ambassador, Livia has travelled to Ethiopia, Kenya, Bangladesh and Zambia, connecting with the people at the beginning of the supply chain. Livia is a UN Leader of Change and has also been recognised with the UN Fashion 4 Development Award.
In 2014, Livia was awarded the Rainforest Alliance Award for Outstanding Achievement in Sustainability and the Honorary Award of the National German Sustainability Foundation.
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M&S partners with sustainable brand expert and campaigner Livia Firth and her consultancy Eco-Age