To showcase a brand new season of great style at M&S, M&S gathered some of Britain’s most influential and inspirational women, photographed by the legendary photographer Annie Leibovitz.
Twelve seemingly very different women from diverse backgrounds and professions represent the very best of British, the perfect ambassadors to present our new M&S autumn/winter collections. These women all possess intelligence, the confidence to succeed and innate personal style. From the physical strength and dedication of athletes and dancers, the honed skills of entertainers, the imagination of creative visionaries and the tireless campaigners, these women are pioneers in their fields. With that in mind, who better to photograph them than Annie Leibovitz, known for her era-defining work. Welcome to our new autumn/winter campaign.
Helen Mirren
The multi-award winning actress is known for her groundbreaking film, television and theatre performances, her candid opinions and her innate, confident style.
Katie Piper
Having rebuilt her life following an acid attack in 2008, model and now successful TV presenter, has also set up a foundation to support people with burns and other disfigurements.
Ellie Goulding
The singer-songwriter and skilled instrumentalist has already, during her short career, released two albums, won a BRIT award and performed at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
Helen Allen
A staff nurse and mother of two, Allen is the founder of the charity PEPAIDS (Peer Education Programme Against AIDS) and was named Nurse of the Year in 2011.
Nicola Adams
Becoming the first female boxer to win an Olympic gold medal at last year’s London games, Adams has battled injury with steely determination to get where she is.
Monica Ali
The Bangladeshi-born, British-raised writer’s debut novel, Brick Lane was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize and adapted into a film. She has since published two further novels.
Darcey Bussell
A celebrated former Royal Ballet principal ballerina, Bussell CBE, retired in 2007 to an eight-minute standing ovation. She writes children’s books and is a popular television personality.
Laura Mvula
The Brit Award nominated singer-songwriter, also a director of the Lichfield Community Gospel Choir, was, just over a year ago working as a receptionist when she landed her first record deal.
Karen Elson
A model, musician and mother of two, Karen Elson has been in the public eye since she was discovered aged 15 and has worked with the world’s greatest photographers.
Jasmine Whitbread
As the CEO of Save the Children and former International Director at Oxfam, the mother of two is known for her leadership skills, working with teams in 120 countries.
Grace Coddington
The former British model and long-time creative director for US Vogue remains a hugely influential and outspoken force in fashion. Her memoir, Grace, was published late last year.
Tracey Emin
Tracey Emin The award-winning artist, CBE and Professor of Drawing at the Royal Academy of Art, is best known as a leading figure in the Young British Artists (YBA) movement, her emotionally revealing work and her forthright views.
Shop for Britain’s Leading Ladies_Aut/Winter Collection 2013 here and to find out more
