M&S launches limited edition jacket to celebrate RAF centenary

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
Jun 29, 2018

M&S hasn’t really been known for its fashion collaborations, its Alexa Chung deal collection two years ago being its highest-profile link-up of late. But its latest deal is an interesting one because it celebrates not a designer, but a look and a British institution as it marks the 100th anniversary of the Royal Air Force (RAF).

It comes with a limited edition men’s leather flying jacket that went on sales this week with all profits going to the RAF100 Appeal.

And there’s also an exhibition at the M&S Archive in Leeds with CEO Steve Rowe and Air Vice-Marshal Mike Wigston on hand to cut the ribbon.

M&S is aiming to raise £500,000 for the RAF100 Appeal and said the partnership "is inspired by the shared histories between M&S and the RAF which will go on display at [the] new special exhibit.”

It’s not well known, but Simon Marks, who was M&S Chairman and son of the founder, helped form the RAF Cadets in 1938 and donated a large chunk of the money that was needed to create the unit.

The fund-raising effort will also see events at the chain’s stores around the UK.

The limited edition jacket, called The Marksman, references the M&S workers who raised £5,000 in 1941 to fund a new spitfire for the RAF war effort which they named The Marksman and which was in action at Dunkirk.