Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's debut lingerie collection for Marks & Spencer was a success, so much so that the high street retailer recently reported that it was their fastest selling lingerie collection to date. Four pieces have been sold every minute since the line launched earlier on this month so it should come as no surprise that this isn't the end of the partnership.
The model turned actress has also designed a special collection more appropriate for the cold weather we can't get away from right now (where has summer gone?). The line, which will hit stores in mid-October, features the perfect long-sleeved silk wraps, along with comfortable cashmere trousers and feminine camisoles.
When you think of Rosie Huntington-Whiteley the first thing that springs to mind is the image of her sauntering down the Victoria's Secret runway or stripping down in those Burberry Body ads, right? It's hardly a surprise, then, that her looks continue to be the focal point but as her recent interview in the September issue of ELLE UK shows, there's a lot more to he than those pouty lips and killer body.
As you will know, Huntington-Whiteley has just wrapped up designing her first collection of lingerie for Marks & Spencer and ahead of the launch, which is set to take place on August 30, the high street retailer released this short video with the model talking about the line at the campaign shoot.
What is instantly apparent is just how hands on she's been, something that was highlighted in the ELLE interview. 'I love everything about lingerie, I've always had a thing for it,' she tells the camera. 'It's completely feminine, it's something for women, it's outs, it's our little secret.' She continues: 'I think that we've struck a great balance between it being young and modern whilst still being classic and sexy but feminine, and I hope people enjoy it in that way.'
On Friday ELLE UK unveiledRosie Huntington-Whitley as the cover star of their all-important September issue and so far, it's one of my favourites. Rosie manages to tick two boxes. While she is quickly becoming best known for her role in the third installment of Transformers and therefore ticks the celebrity box, she is first and foremost a model and that's something the majority want to see more of.
Considering that her July 2011 cover of the magazine did really well on newsstands, it comes as no surprise that she's been chosen for the latest issue, and the timing makes sense. At the moment she's preparing to release her debut lingerie collection for Marks & Spencer, which she models in the accompanying shoot along with brands like Marios Schwab and Burberry.
Marks & Spencer have been in the headlines today after announcing their worst quarterly figures in years but in a stroke of PR savviness, all attention was steered away from the disappointing figures because they also used today to announced that Belinda Earl is joining their team.
The high street giant, who experienced a drop of 6.8 percent in non-food sales, confirmed that Earl will join the company as their style director starting from September 1. 'Belinda...has a unique insight into British style and a wealth of experience across all categories of clothing and general merchandise,' the company said in a statement, and considering the problems they're facing, it couldn't have come at a better time.
To say that Rosie Huntington-Whitley is on an all time career high since signing on to star in the most recent instalment of 'Transformers' is quite the understatement. All you need to do is look at the Times' annual Rich List which was released last week, in which the British model made her debut after racking up a £5 fortune. With all of that success it's hard to remember the time when many were critical of Christopher Bailey's decision to book her as Lily Donaldson's replacement as the face of Burberry several years ago.
And it looks like things are only getting better for the 25 year-old. Not content with modelling, today Marks & Spencer announced that she will also turn her hand to design to create an exclusive lingerie line for their line, Autograph, to which Rosie is the currently the face. The collection, titled Rosie for Autograph, includes 33 pieces ranging from French knicker sets to silk pieces and kimono robes and will hit stores in September.
'M&S is an iconic British brand, adored by many so I'm very excited to be launching my debut lingerie line with them,' she said in a statement. 'I thoroughly enjoyed collaborating with the design team to create my dream collection, and I'm looking forward to a fun and creative time ahead.'
Since signing up to appear in the latest 'Transformers' movie, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley has become seriously hot property and her recent appearance in the Burberry Body campaign hasn't hurt. So it's hardly surprising that Marks & Spencer have booked the model to appear in their revamped ad campaigns after dropping their usual faces like Twiggy and Erin O'Conner.
Joining the model is actor Ryan Reynolds - a decision that we're still struggling to understand. Nonetheless, the campaign looks beautiful with its soft filtered feel shot by BAFTA award winning photographer Greg Williams. Although I loved the old campaigns, this new look definitely marks a step in a good direction.
Marks & Spencer have decided to cancel their star studded TV adverts. The move was initiated by the company's new chief executive Marc Bolland, who replaced Stuart Rose, who decided to give them the axe after re-evaluating the company's business strategy.
We can't understand why they would drop the campaigns. Sales have dramatically increased at the high street retailer since the campaigns began back in 2004 and they have been largely responsible to a younger more fashion focused customer shopping in the store. After all, M&S was seen as a store for middle aged and elderly woman looking for functional clothes and quality underwear but bringing on the likes of Ana Beatriz Barros, Danni Minogue and VV Brown helped jazz that image up.
It looks like the launch of her underwear line at Marks & Spencer has prompted Collette Dinnigan to looking into other possibilities.
Today WWD revealed that the designer is launching a diffusion range called Collette by Collette Dinnigan to target the contemporary market. The 35 piece collection will come at prices ranging from $70-150 compared to the mainline's $465-1,250 and will be a lot more than a cheaper version of the mainline.“It’s very much a travel-leisure collection — much more relaxed and bohemian,” she told WWD. “I call it city-to-surf.”
The diffusion line is something that Dinnigan has been thinking about for some time. “I’ve always wanted to do a diffusion line,” she said. “This felt like the right moment to do it.”
Stylist Patricia Field's CV runs like a who's who of the fashion and TV business. Having been responsible in most part for the success of both the Sex and the City movie and the TV series, she's worked on every thing from the Devil Wears Prada to ABC show Ugly Betty. That's not to mention her successful store and clothing line with Marks & Spencer.
Side story: Naomi and I met while interviewing Zandra Rhodes, and FYI, her purse dog's name is Paris.
On to the important bit: Marks & Spencer isn't exactly gliding through the recession, but a new collection from the legendary designer could give shoppers a reason to get excited. Expect caftans and summer dresses brightened up with Rhodes' fuschia and tangerine, and of course a sense of rebellion.
With design stints for everyone from Princess Diana to Freddie Mercury, we doubt the 68-year-old will disappoint when her new line comes out 7 May.
