'I've enjoyed every little minute of it,' says north Derbyshire amateur fashion designer backed by Scary Spice Mel B in telly debut of M&S: Dress The Nation
A north Derbyshire amateur designer’s dream of winning a job at high street giant M&S has been dashed after she was eliminated in the first episode of a new television competition.
Julie Watson beat off thousands of applicants to be chosen as one of 10 contenders for M&S: Dress The Nation where a prize of junior fashion designer is at stake.
But in this week’s televised episode, Julie didn’t make the cut to the next round despite having celebrity judge Mel B in her corner. Best known as the Spice Girls’ Scary Spice, Mel B said: “I don’t think Julie should be in the danger zone.”
Julie accepted her defeat graciously. She said: “It's been such fun, it's been fantastic and I've enjoyed every little minute of it from start to finish. What an experience, so grateful to be here and it's been lovely."
The 54-year-old owner of issh clothing repair shop on Chesterfield Road, Dronfield showed her speed at making clothes when she produced two dresses in the time that it took other contestants to make one. Tasked with making a statement summer dress, Julie opted for a navy, Princess Diana-style creation which she consigned to the bin saying that it was awful and looked like a nurse’s outfit. Holding up the discarded dress, presenter Vernon Kay said: “When I worked for Bolton Council this reminded me of the tabard I used to wear!” Julie’s second creation was a simplistic white skater-style dress.
Anna Braithwaite, who is M&S marketing director for clothing, said that it was impressive that Julie had made two dresses. She told Julie: “You've played it really safe. With all your experience, for a big statement dress you could have come up with a design that pushed you more. You're filled with personality when you walk in the room and I think we expected the design to be a bit bolder and a bit more confident.”
In the teamwork round involving four contestants, Julie produced a summer jacket for her contribution to a holiday collection. Her blazer-style garment with contrasting iining found favour with more than half of the members of the public who were asked for their opinions.
Announcing who would be the first elimination from M&S: Dress The Nation, Vernon said: “It was very very tough and it wasn't a unanimous decision. The designer leaving the competition is….Julie.”