debenhams: something unexpected

For me, the Debenhams press launch was a real eye opener. For me there was a few brand stereotypes that were reinforced, but there was also a few things I did not expect from the brand.
I have to say on arrival I was disappointed to be greeted at the door by occasion wear. It for me dates the brand and just reaffirmed a lot of old tropes I had about the brand. It felt a bit unsexy and dated. The thing is Debenhams is so much more than occasion wear and while I think it is an integral part of the brand, for it to feel like the focus felt for me, very stale, and was perhaps not the way I would have arranged the collections.
With that niggle out the way, I finally got a chance to see the new designers at Debenhams range, which quite frankly is fantastic. With new names like Jonathan Kelsey, Jonathan Saunders, Roksanda Illinic and Preen I was pleasantly surprised by the high quality contemporary tailoring. With flashes of neon and elegant draping the new designers have brought a really fresh, fashionable but very wearable collection to the floor.Roksanda Illinic’s collection definitely stood out for me. It felt most like something that could live in my wardrobe. I mean I love love loved Preen’s neon yellow crochet top but Illinic’s collection have a contemporary elegance that I am all over. I fully expected when I went in to walk out with something from Illinic’s collection but I ended up creeping at some of their other designers and ended up picking up a wee bit of Jasper Conran. I was not expecting the quality of tailoring or garments or to find as many pieces that I flat out adored. I definitely feel that their designers are Debenhams real strength and it would be wonderful to see these beautiful pieces get a bit more of a presence. Maybe I’m feeling a bit jaded with Topshop and the like at the mo, but it’s nice to see there is a place to go for something a bit more elegant and timeless at an accessible price point.
Will have a few pics of the most stylish ladies from the press event in the next couple of days – lots of vintage detailing, prints and colour. Perfect.