M&S Dress The Nation Returns to ITV to Crown the UK's Next Top Designer

The highly anticipated primetime TV show, ‘M&S: Dress The Nation’, is making its return with an exciting new series, scheduled to begin airing on September 14th across ITV1 and ITVX. Hosted by popular UK TV presenters AJ Odudu and Vernon Kay, the fashion-forward series captivated an impressive eight million viewers last year, and once again invites audiences to delve into the intricate world of design at M&S.

This new iteration of the series is dedicated to exploring both womenswear and menswear design, meticulously documenting M&S’s quest to discover the nation's most promising emerging fashion designer. Spread across five compelling 60-minute episodes, the show features contestants from all corners of the country, showcasing a diverse array of talent and creative vision.

Nine carefully selected candidates, ranging in age from 22 to 59, will compete fiercely for an exclusive mentorship opportunity with M&S. This coveted prize will allow the winner to collaborate with leading figures in the company’s Design, Buying, Merchandising, and Marketing departments. The varied backgrounds of the candidates, including a copywriter, retail assistants, a teacher, and an anti-social behaviour officer, promise a rich tapestry of perspectives. Throughout the competition, they will undertake challenges both individually and in groups, tasked with designing and creating garments that embody the M&S customer's preferences for style, versatility, and quality.

The ultimate winner will not only receive invaluable mentorship but will also have the extraordinary opportunity to see their winning design sold exclusively in selected M&S stores and online for the Autumn/Winter 2025 season. The design challenge format itself was an initiative launched by M&S CEO, Stuart Machin, who was inspired by his deep love for fashion and a fervent passion for supporting individuals looking to embark on a career in retail, irrespective of their life experience or background.

The judging panel for the new series sees the return of key M&S figures: Maddy Evans, Director of M&S Woman; Lisa Illis, Head of Womenswear Design; and Mitch Hughes, Menswear Director. They will be joined by an exciting line-up of 'M&S ambassadors', celebrity judges, and some of the UK’s most respected fashion designers. A unique feature of the show is the weekly involvement of real customer focus groups, whose invaluable feedback will play a crucial role in guiding the judges towards selecting the ultimate winner.

Sharry Cramond, M&S Fashion, Home & Beauty Marketing Director, expressed her enthusiasm, stating: “After the incredible response to Series 1… we knew we had something special on our hands. This series takes it up another level – more fashion, more creativity, more amazing energy. Dress The Nation gives viewers an exclusive insight into the energy, creativity and passion embedded within the M&S brand, and a glimpse of how we create the magic, that our customers can’t get enough of.”