What: Marks & Spencer will make its London Fashion Week debut on 18 September, showing 57 runway looks available to buy immediately in-store and online, as part of its 100-year fashion anniversary celebrations.

Why it is important:  The show illustrates how heritage high-street retailers use marquee fashion platforms to accelerate style credibility while keeping runway content instantly commercial.

Marks & Spencer will stage its first London Fashion Week show on Friday, marking 100 years in fashion with womenswear and menswear inspired by the M&S archive. Under CEO Stuart Machin, the retailer has focused on rebuilding its value, quality and style credentials to attract younger, fashion-focused shoppers, while also revamping its supply chain and strengthening its digital and data capabilities.

Unlike the leading designers and brands also presenting at the event, M&S's 57 runway looks will be available immediately after the show, both online and in 10 flagship stores across the UK and Ireland, with half the collection priced under £50. The show will stream on M&S's website and via European partner Zalando.

Machin described the collection as being "built on our heritage but brought bang up to date," citing archive-inspired pieces alongside references to 1990s M&S campaigns. The show also follows M&S's return to profit growth this year after a 24% slump in 2025/26 tied to a disruptive cyberattack, with half-year results due 4 November. M&S shares are up 11% year-to-date, aided by strong food sales.

IADS Notes: Friday's London Fashion Week show follows the announcement made in WWD, July 2026, when M&S first confirmed a see-now, buy-now format tied to its 100-year fashion anniversary and international expansion. The appearance comes as the retailer works through the aftermath of a major cyberattack, with the Financial Times, May 2026 reporting M&S's forecast return to profit growth after the incident disrupted operations and online sales. Its omnichannel ambitions are also progressing on the logistics side, where Retail Week, August 2026 documented an early strong start for the retailer's European fulfilment partnership with Zalando, cutting delivery times and costs across its largest online markets. The heritage angle showcased on the runway extends into product as well: Fashion Network, September 2026 covered M&S's revival of its archive St Michael label through a limited-edition streetwear capsule with Aries, aimed at reaching younger, style-conscious shoppers through nostalgia-driven product storytelling.

M&S makes London Fashion Week debut to boost style ambitions