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. 

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.  

AJ Odudu said: “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.”

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.”

Dress The Nation begins Tuesday 17th September at 8pm on ITV1.