M&S (that is how us Brits affectionately refer to Marks and Spencer) is as British as fish and chips, tea and cricket and the gigantic retailer, that has over 700 stores across the nation, is an indelible part of the British high street. However, times are quite tough for M&S right now, judging by the recent fourth-quarter sales figures. UK like-for-like sales fell 0.7%, with the heartbeat of the business – womenswear – going backwards.
I tweeted on Sunday that the company hoped that the latest TV ad would revive the slump in sales…but I am not so sure. M&S ads are always the talk of the town. Anyone remember this ad from 2009 ??
…. pretty unforgettable right? The above ‘assets’ belong to London model Natalie Suliman – who was discovered whilst swimming at her local pool in Islignton! How cool is that! She attributed her caramel skin tone (no makeup was used on her body for the shoot) to her Somali roots. She is incredible!
Natalie Suliman for M&S
This ad caused the bra and pants that were featured to see an 168% increase in sales!! It worked, in my opinion, because it was simple, disruptive (to say the least), and the product is easy to see.
This is SO not the case for the latest offering. Take a look – does the ad inspire you?
The only redeeming factor of the ad is the welcome return of veteran M&S model Noémie Lenoir. Noémie is a French model and actress of African and European descent and is instantly recognisable as M&S’ former lingerie model.
Noémie Lenoir for Marks and Spencer, Summer 2012 (Image: marksandspencer.com)
Noémie is instantly recognisable as M&S' poster girl
She has also known for appearing in top magazines such as Elle and modeling in advertisements for high fashion brands such as Gucci, L’Oreal, Next, Gap, Tommy Hilfiger and Victoria’s Secret. She has been featured in a line-up of the world’s most successful black models taken by renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz, for Vanity Fair (2009).
30 Years of Black Beauty, Vanity Fair 2009
It is great to see her back in action because on May 9 2010, Lenoir was found unconscious, after a suspected suicide attempt in a park near her Paris home. She was rushed to hospital where large quantities of drugs and alcohol were found in her system. She spoke about the suicide attempt in a February 2011 interview with the Guardian Weekend magazine, admitting she’d done ‘something really, really stupid’. We all have made mistakes in life that we can term ‘stupid’ and life can throw things at us that seem insurmountable but I admire Lenoir for bouncing back, shunning the shame and embarrassment of the situation and for rebuilding her career. She looks full of life and vitality in this video as she gives us her ‘tips for Summer’.
Welcome Back Noémie!!
2 comments for “M&S Model makes a welcome return”