Leeds School of Arts

Fashion Marketing students explore the Marks and Spencer Company Archive

First year BA (Hons) Fashion Marketing students were recently given the opportunity to visit the Marks and Spencer Company Archive in Leeds as part of the Contextual Studies module.

Students in the archive

The students were able to gain valuable insight into the history of the M&S business, view some of the 71,000 stored items to learn about more about this innovative company, and to explore how fashion trends have changed over time.

The day consisted of an insightful talk and tour of the permanent exhibition by the expert archivists, who explained the evolution of the Marks and Spencer’s business from 1884 to the present day.

Students in the archive

The students then had exclusive access to items from the main archive collection, such as company magazines, advertising campaigns and marketing materials from the days of Michael Marks’ Penny Bazaar, all the way through to the famous high street store we recognise today. Students will be able to utilise the research conducted in the archive towards their assessed output for the module.

Further Information

Hannah Edyvean

Senior Lecturer / Leeds Business School

Hannah is a Senior Lecturer in Digital Marketing within the Leeds Business School. She holds a practice-based Masters from Leeds Beckett University and HEA Teaching Fellowship accreditation, as well as being an active PhD researcher and member of the Retail Institute Special Interest Research Group. Hannah is also a mentor for the HEA accreditation scheme.

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