I agree with Liz Jones, the leading Lady M&S collection is shocking

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A real shower of shite

Nothing looks good at all here

And does Emma Thompson have awful posture or is it just the picture?

Don't mind the garden party one, but the other pic is hideous. In fact, dp and I had just been slating it (it's in the Guardian mag) and then I saw this thread. Emma Thompson looks like a stuck up and/or constipated old woman in a care home and Annie L looks deeply uncomfortable. I didn't know who any of the other people were tbh.

Why is Liz Jones not wearing a bra?! She's such a po faced old battle axe that I can't imagine what she does look good in.

That said, M&S is pretty much a no go for me (mid 30's) other than a couple of pairs of jeggings. And even then I prefer my jeggings from elsewhere.

I can't believe Annie Lennox surely shedoesn't need the money?

Oh my god, FrugalFashionista, you're totally right about AL's work being akin to high Mannerism. It's been bugging me for ages what it brings to mind, and you've hit the nail on the head. The fact you've mentioned Bronzino makes me laugh too, as his paintings personify everything I loathe about the period, his Venus and Cupid in particular!

This is easily my favourite Liz Jones article for quite some time, all her points are valid and excellent.

I have no idea what M&S are doing these days other than clutching at straws and throwing money at the problem/wrong things. Get your shop in order, quite literally. Once upon a time, M&S didn't need to advertise, they sold good quality essential products and relied on word of mouth. Since they've started trying to appeal to become more fashion savvy, they've totally lost their way. Indeed, around the time they first started spending significant sums of money on advertising was when it all started going wrong.

It's all those soft lines and bendiness. And a touch of schmaltz.

It is a bit depressing that all these women end up on an M&S ad. Hats off to those that don't.

See, I don't mind the chevon striped navy and white skirt Annie Lennox is wearing but they've styled it appallingly. I'd put it with very high pointed stilettos in a coral colour and a fitted, white shirt. With the sleeves folded up to above the elbow. Think Carrie Underwood.

But it takes a special sort of shoot to make Alex Wek look dowdy! She is a stunning looking woman who's skilled at making the unwearable wearable. But not even she can save that multi coloured 'tribal' skirt. That elasticated waist !

That stripes skirt looks pretty tacky in RL in my local Marks.

striped!

Sansucre too bad Americans are so prudish, I would have loved to see K&K locked in this pose - just add a neon pink Vogue logo - I'd definitely buy it Leibovitz assistants - if you are reading this, please feel free to send me an art consultant fee

I've grown to really like mannerism - it's a certain idea taken to the max and not too far from the Botoxed/Photoshopped idealism we are so uncritically embracing right now. The M&S ad also seems to reference either Watteau or Gainsborough - if anyone catches what exactly, please let me know...

Does it Poly? Bugger.

A good example of the total fuckwittage on evidence in M&S fashion department was the AW pink coat debacle.

Allison Pearson wrote a piece on trying to buy it after she had seen it advertised, only to be told it was limited edition only, to maintain exclusivity.

As she pointed out, that's fine for high end designers and funky high street stores who only release certain items in their central London stores, but M&S advertising a coat and refusing to sell it to buyers is bonkers. Particularly when they're losing money!

I can't believe Annie Lennox surely shedoesn't need the money?

I was thinking the same since I read just last week she sold her Notting Hill house recently for £11m having bought it for £4m a decade ago .

M&S excelled in a time were there was very little competition,now the high street is taken by big foreign giants. (Zara,mango,h&m)

They have been outclassed by Zara, Mango, Topshop, Hennes on the one side, and John Lewis on the other. All have superfast stock turnover, latest trends, and good distribution.

They completely failed to grasp the necessity of getting their food online.
They were supposedly doing a deal with Ocado, but that doesn't seem to have manifest.

See whilst I don't particularly like this campaign,or the clothes featured,I have yet to find anything in Zara that I like or that doesn't look crumpled and flimsy.
I am not a fan of H and M either,and Topshop's prices are ridiculous for high street tat.
I don't like Primark at all either.
But John Lewis,now you are talking

Oh, I really like mannerism, I can't believe I didn't click that AL obviously loves it too until you pointed it out. I really loathe Bronzino though, although will concede that I'd pay good money to see K&K recreate what you suggest!

To be honest, the either ad wouldn't look out of place among the Wallace Collection. The soft focus shmaltz-y-ness makes me think of Boucher and Fragonard too!

I think you've both got it. It's the modern day grandeur. Slebs love to be flattered!

Liz should stick to writing about fashion, she's so right about why all this is not working and would not appeal to shoppers, and the reposing thing really shows why too.

It takes a special kind of cluelessness to make Alex Wek look a bit frumpy and Annie Lennox look old, uncool and slightly arthritic. Those shoes! And poor Doreen Lawrence loos so uncomfortable - I am itching to dress her in something glamorous and swishy with a gorgeous print in colours that would suit her. They could have done all of them so, so many more favours.

M&S WHERE are you getting your inspiration from?!? What the HELL is going on?

I can't stand this campaign - it's such a strange concept and looks so awkward. I was against using super models in their previous ads as at odds with their product and market but this is as bad.

Yesterday I wore an M&S top I bought about 12 years ago and it's still one of my favourite summer tops. I think it was one of the last things I bought there. £19.99 for a cotton blouse that looks very Isabel Marant. You don't get those lucky finds anymore.

Aargh Alek Wek sorry I think that was my autocorrect

While we're at it: am I the only one who thinks that Zara is also a load of artificial fibre tat?

No, Kinsfold, you're not alone.
It's artificial crap cut on the tiny side.

But, it looks good and stock changes every few weeks.

I've stopped looking in Zara. Fabric and quality = awful, sizing bonkers and the Birmingham branch always looks/feels like a jumble sale.

Yep it looks good online but every time I go into the Covent Garden store it looks a state.

I know the mn consensus on Liz Jones, but I I often do agree with her when she writes about clothes and fashion and I think she's spot on re m&s here.

I nearly posted yesterday after seeing the ad in a magazine. It looks so bloody awful that I actually gasped out loud looking at it. It would be laughable if it were not for poor Doreen Laurence who looks visibly uncomfortable and has been styled dreadfully. And who is going to believe that Rita Ora shops there?

Shame on you M & S.