Marks & Spencer is delighted to Introduce the Winter Archive by Alexa Collection

Dubai, November 22, 2016:  Following on from the success of Archive By Alexa for Marks & Spencer, November sees the arrival of the Winter collection; continuing the unique partnership between a modern icon of British style Alexa Chung, and a long standing icon of the British high street, Marks & Spencer.

The Winter collection, which will complete the Archive By Alexa series, is a modern interpretation of archive pieces, fusing a rich heritage with contemporary style. Using the extensive Marks & Spencer Company Archive in Leeds*, Alexa and the M&S design team have continued their journey of rediscovery, through a distinctly Winter aesthetic.

The collection was once again shot by Tom Craig with Alexa herself taking creative ownership of the mood and direction.

The womenswear collection has been carefully curated and handpicked by Alexa and the M&S design team. Bringing Archive pieces back to life for the new season, using Alexa’s unique approach to style. 

The Winter collection has an elevated evening mood, mixing bold prints with luxe fabrics, from vivid metallics to sumptuous velvets.

A tiger print take from an eighties night dress has been reworked into a slip dress and matching cami, alongside a chinoiserie floral, which has inspired a kimono jacket, slipper shoe and blouse, for a vivid take on the party season.

Alexa Chung comments ‘The print on the Albion blouse was something I discovered within the cabinet at the entry to the Leeds archive. As captivating now as it was back when it was designed’.

Outerwear takes centre stage for the Winter, drawing on hero shapes from across the decades.

Archive By Alexa Harper AED 395
Tiger print, and animal prints generally, became very popular in the 1970s - perfect for the disco! The film 'Out of Africa' inspired a 1985 range of womenswear and childrenswear, including safari suits, walking shorts and animal print accessories. This maxi dress replicates the shape of a 1977 tiger print nightdress.   

 Archive By Alexa Calverley AED 395
1990s polka dot dress. Though the dress has typical late 90s spaghetti straps and shape, the small polka dot has been used at M&S for decades - this print was popular on our 1940s and 1950s dresses. By 1999 our strappy dresses had secret support, allowing them to be worn without a bra.

The Lady Kimono AED 395
Chinoiserie print lady kimono. This artificial silk dressing gown dates from around 1935 and has a black ground with a Chinese floral and pagoda motif in pink, blue, white and green. Dressing gowns have always been popular at M&S, from elegant artificial silk gowns of the 1930s, to heavy woollen dressing gowns in the 1950s, and bright paisley print men's smoking jackets in the 1970s.

Archive By Alexa Headrow Jumper AED 350
This 1990 Aran jumper is 100% wool. Aran jumpers feature different stitches, each with a different meaning. The cable stitch down each side of this jumper is said to symbolise fisherman's rope, plaited stitches represent the interweaving strands of life. These chunky jumpers became popular in the 1980s. Prince Charles was given one when he visited Brixton store in 1982!

Archive By Alexa Albion Blouse AED 275
Chinoiserie print blouse. Traditional designs from China, had a big influence on 1920s and 30s clothing and accessories, when kimono-style coats and robes and embroidered fabrics were all popular.

Archive By Alexa York Shoe AED 295
These pumps are modelled on a classic pair from the 1960s, updated with the oriental print from the 1930s dressing gown above. The pumps we sold in the 60s were  called 'casuals' or 'flexibles'.

All of the pieces in the Winter collection are named after streets in Leeds where Marks & Spencer was established in 1884.

The 11 piece collection will available in Dubai from the 20th November 2016 in the M&S stores located in Mall of the Emirates and The Dubai Mall.