Primetime TV show ‘M&S: Dress The Nation’ is set to return with a new series which begins airing on 14 September across ITV1 and ITVX.

Hosted by UK TV presenters AJ Odudu and Vernon Kay, the fashion forward series was watched by eight million people last year who can tune in once again “to find out what it takes to design at M&S”.

The new series focuses on womenswear and menswear design and documents M&S’s search for the very best emerging fashion designer over the course of five 60-minute episodes, featuring contestants from across the country.  

Nine candidates, aged 22-59, will compete to secure an exclusive mentorship with M&S where they will work with leaders in Design, Buying, Merchandising and Marketing.

Throughout the process, the candidates, which include a copywriter, retail assistants, a teacher and an anti-social behaviour officer, will work individually, as well as in groups, to design and create garments that will be loved by the M&S customer where style, versatility and quality are key.

The winner will have the opportunity to see their design sold exclusively in selected M&S stores and online for the AW25 season.

The design challenge format was launched by M&S CEO, Stuart Machin, “inspired by his love of fashion and passion for supporting people looking to start a career in retail no matter what their life experience or background”.

Maddy Evans, director of M&S Woman, Lisa Illis, head of Womenswear Design, and Mitch Hughes, Menswear director return to the judging panel for the new series.

They’ll also be joined by a host of ‘M&S ambassadors’, a line-up of celebrity judges as well as some of the UK’s leading fashion designers. Each week will also see groups of real customers giving feedback, “to help guide the judges towards the ultimate winner”.

Sharry Cramond, M&S Fashion, Home & Beauty marketing director, said: “After the incredible response to Series 1… we knew we had something special on our hands. This series takes it up another level – more fashion, more creativity, more amazing energy. Dress The Nation gives viewers an exclusive insight into the energy, creativity and passion embedded within the M&S brand, and a glimpse of how we create the magic, that our customers can’t get enough of.”