Cast your mind back to this time last year, and you may remember the launch of M&S X Bella Freud volume one. As the days grew shorter and the nights colder, the joining of two British stalwarts injected a helping of welcome glitz and joy into our autumn capsule wardrobes – and their first capsule collection (consisting of slogan jumpers, mood-boosting knitwear and very chic women’s suits) sold out almost instantly.
Amidst the fashion set’s obsession with 2010s nostalgia, it feels timely that M&S and Bella Freud have joined forces for a second time, returning – today – with a 43-piece capsule collection.
This time around, M&S X Bella Freud not only includes the cheeky logo sweaters she has long been famous for (my favourite candyfloss pink release reads Wham Bam) – but party season-appropriate homeware, matching Christmas pyjamas, kidswear and even knits for your dog, too. It’s good.
From conceptualising with the M&S team and sketching designs in her London studio, through to seeing the collection come to life on set during the campaign shoot, Bella worked closely with the M&S team on this collection – and it shows.
“This year’s collection is based on the idea of entertaining at home. You want to be a bit dressed up and feel glamorous, but you also want to feel at ease,” Bella Freud says. “At the centre of the collection is a velvet suit and around that, there’s wool and cashmere knitwear and silk shirts, to style it back with. I think the styling feels old school and glamorous – its dressing down that’s dressed up.”
Expect a colour palette of black, navy and white, underpinned with seasonal brown and burgundy interjected with bright colour pops of pink and green. Outerwear and tailoring mainstays include a 100% recycled wool coat, velvet tuxedo trousers and co-coordinating velvet tuxedo jacket – and of course, Bella’s aforementioned iconic word jumpers are back. Bestsellers from the first collection can be picked up, along with new launches, printed with new words, chosen by Bella.
As for Bella’s favourite piece? “I must tell you about the little dog jumper,” she said, “which I think will make people very happy. It’s really fun to make a little garment for a dog – and they’re often hosting alongside you, so it’s only fair they dress up too.”
