Retail news: Marks & Spencer announces FA Collection for the England senior women’s team

Marks & Spencer has announced its debut FA Collection for the England senior women’s team. 
The European Champions continue to inspire multiple generations and change historic perceptions of women’s football. 

UK's Marks and Spencer has been announced as the Official Tailor of the England Senior Women’s Football Team, as it launches the FA Collection. The partnership builds upon the retailer’s longstanding relationship with The Football Association, dating back  2007 when M&S became the Official Suit Supplier to the England Senior Men’s Team. 

The Womenswear collection sees an in-house designed range of versatile, re-imagined tailoring pieces, that will be worn by the England women’s team in the tournament and in their official England team shot.

The collection allows M&S to hero the European Champions as well as what the players and the concept of women’s football stands for and is a celebration of individuality, made to be effortlessly mixed and matched for work, play and everything in between, according to a press release by M&S.

The supporting marketing campaign launches online and in selected stores from 6th July featuring England players Alex Greenwood, Lucy Bronze and Jessica Carter seen wearing a selection of pieces from the collection.
Above, left to right, Alex Greenwood wears tailored blazer, ribbed crew neck cropped top, pleat front relaxed trousers; Lucy Bronze wears tailored blazer, waistcoat and pleat front relaxed trousers; and Jessica Carter wear ribbed scoop neck cropped top and zip-detail straight leg trousers.

Maddy Evans, Director of Womenswear,  says: “We’re incredibly excited and honoured to be dressing the talented and inspiring England Women’s Team on their journey to this year’s most talked about tournament. We wanted to ensure the collection delivered on style and versatility, creating timeless pieces with individual styling was at the forefront of our minds and something that I believe underpins the whole collection. The styling options - dressing the pieces up or down - are endless!”

M&S says its womenswear design team have worked hard to integrate both style and comfort when creating the collection. In a contemporary tonal colour palette of navy and white, the carefully considered collection features smart separates that challenge the traditional idea of ‘power dressing’, and instead encourages an individual approach, styling pieces however one chooses. 

Making the most of the menswear-inspired trend of the moment and layer a waistcoat into a look, the tailored pieces in this new FA Collection are cut in a refined tailored fit, with mock pockets and neat button fastenings. To complete the outfit is a sharp cut single-breasted blazer or on-trend bomber jacket to elevate casual outfits.

Luxe satin shirts and sporty ribbed knitted tops can be effortlessly paired back with slouchy wide-leg trousers, cut to give a flowing silhouette or smart high-waisted tailored shorts that feature practical side pockets. 

Available in-store and on M&S.com, the range provides outfit inspiration to give customers the confidence to style individual pieces for a more relaxed tailored look.

The supporting marketing campaign launches online and in selected stores from 6th July featuring England players Alex Greenwood, Lucy Bronze and Jessica Carter seen wearing a selection of pieces from the collection.

The launch will be supported by an omnichannel marketing campaign across stores, PR, media, digital and social channels.

Anna Braithwaite, Director of Marketing, comments: “The England Women’s teams’ success in recent major tournaments has captured the attention of the nation. Their performance has showcased skill, determination and teamwork inspiring a new generation of footballers – and that's only set to continue throughout the summer. We’re so thrilled to be launching this campaign and collection – the mix and match, versatile approach allows the players to embrace their own unique style off-pitch, creating a confident, empowering and effortlessly stylish look. We couldn’t be prouder to be partnering with the Lionesses. We’ll be behind them every step of the way.”

Images from Marks and Spencer.