Vernon Kay and AJ Odudu will be looking for the next top designer in a new ITV show.

M&S has announced a nationwide search for its next designer with the launch of a competitive ITV1 and ITVX series, M&S: Dress The Nation. The brand new series will follow the search process over the course of six episodes as 10 candidates compete to secure a highly coveted in-house design role working alongside some of the best designers in the industry at M&S’ colleague support centre in Paddington, London.

The retailer wants to hear from people of all walks of life and aims to reiterate that a formal qualification or training in fashion design is not essential, but what’s more important is creative flair, a willingness to learn and a passion for design. Over the course of the recruitment process, the 10 candidates will be set a series of briefs which will assess their design, problem-solving, commerciality and collaboration skills.

Each week the brief will be reflective of M&S’ design and product development process – from gathering insights to identifying key product trends to designing and developing original products. The 10 candidates will work out of a purpose-built design studio for the duration of the competition and work both individually, as well as in groups, to design and create garments that will resonate with the M&S customers.

Vernon says he’s ‘looking forward’ to working with AJ ( 
Image:
PA)

Vernon Kay said: “I’m a strong believer in giving talent the opportunity to be seen and get a chance to make it. This is a great way for budding designers, especially those who don’t necessarily have any formal training or experience, to win a life-changing job at one of Britain’s most loved retailers. This is gonna be huge for all those who take part. And I’m so looking forward to working alongside AJ again.”

AJ Odudu added: “I’m so excited to be hosting M&S: Dress The Nation on ITV alongside my mate Vernon. To host a primetime show that celebrates all things fashion is incredible and I can’t wait to help ITV and M&S unearth some brilliant new design talent. Accessibility to the creative industries for people across the U.K. is so important to me and shows like this provide an opportunity that really could change someone’s life forever.”

The judging panel will be made up of senior leaders at M&S alongside a rotation of celebrity guests and designers and the winner of the series will be offered an in-house junior designer role with M&S which will be built around their skillset and experience.

Anna Braithwaite, M&S Marketing Director for Clothing & Home, said: “The UK has some of the best emerging design talent in the world and we want to meet them. We’re on the look-out for the next generation of designers who can be part of our journey to evolve M&S’ style credentials and design original products that not only appeals to our existing customers but also turns the heads of customers who may not have previously considered us.”