Dress The Nation | Preview (ITV1)

AJ Odudu and Vernon Kay host the nationwide search for its next designer with the launch of a competitive ITV1 and ITVX series, M&S: Dress The Nation.

The series will document the search process from start to finish: over the course of six episodes, 10 candidates will 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. 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 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.

Candidates will work out of a purpose-built design studio for the duration of the competition and work individually, as well as in groups, to design & create garments that will resonate with the M&S customer who is seeking style, versatility, value, and quality in their clothing choices. 

Each week a judging panel – made up of senior leaders at M&S alongside a rotation of celebrity guests and designers – will select which budding designers move forward to the next round and one step closer to being crowned the winner.