Bringing Hollywood glamour to the High Street: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Ryan Reynolds star in new Marks and Spencer ad campaign

By Lucy Waterlow


Star power: Ryan Reynolds and Rosie Huntingdon-Whiteley model the autumn Autograph collection from Marks and Spencer


Marks and Spencer have turned to the Hollywood A-list to model their autumn 2011 collection.

The Mail Online can exclusively reveal that actor Ryan Reynolds, 34, and model-turned actress Rosie Huntington-Whitely, 24, are the new faces of the British High Street chain.

The pair star in a glamorous print campaign for the new Autograph collection, which was shot by BAFTA awards photographer Greg Williams at the St Pancras Grand in London.


The appointment of Green Lantern star Ryan, who is married but currently separated from actress Scarlett Johansson, and model Rosie, who made her acting debut in Transformers: Dark of the Moon, may come as a shock to the stores older clientele.

Earlier this year, disgruntled over-60s complained to M&S that they felt they had been overlooked as the chain now only seemed to focus on younger customers with their trendy fashion ranges.

Meanwhile, the Daily Mail columnist Liz Jones criticised the store for trying to be 'too cool' and by alienating their more mature customers with adverts featuring young pop stars, models and presenters like Dannii Minogue and Myleene Klass.

Liz wrote: 'Never mind yacht frolickers Twiggy, Dannii Minogue, a pop singer called V.V. Brown who I’ve never heard of, and a Brazilian supermodel - where is the bigger woman on that boat, or the woman in her 70s? Ignore them at your peril.'

It seemed the chain had listened when it was announced that it was ditching its campaign and waving goodbye to model Jade Jagger, Dannii Minogue and Myleene Klass amongst other glamourous models.

Glamorous: Model-turned actress Rosie Huntington-Whitley said she was excited and proud to be working for M&S, pictured here in a pink wrap dress from the Autograph collection


But instead, M&S has upped the ante by hiring handsome Ryan and stunning Rosie.

Steve Sharp, M&S Executive Director, said they were 'perfect' for the store's new range.

'Rosie and Ryan are the perfect fit for Autograph - beautiful, exclusive and absolutely contemporary', he said. 'On set, they worked together to deliver a mesmerising performance which allowed us to capture shots that literally sizzle with excitement and an air of mystery.'

Rosie, a former Victoria's Secret lingerie model who is usually accustomed to fronting the campaigns of designer labels such as Burberry, said she was 'extremely excited' to be involved with M&S.

'I feel proud to be associated with a British high street favourite that holds fond memories for so many people,' she said.

'Perfect fit': M&S executive director Steve Sharp says the stars are the ideal choice to model for the 'sophisticated but understated' collection


Ryan echoed her sentiments saying he was 'thrilled' to be asked to front the campaign after growing up with the M&S brand in his native Canada.

'Going into an M&S store with my family or friends always gives me a beautiful pang of nostalgia. The Autograph collection is a modern take on the classic style I love and feel most comfortable wearing. The pieces in this collection are lasting staples that'll never go out of style,' he said.

The Hollywood stars aren't the only new additions to the M&S team. British male model David Gandy, who works for Dolce & Gabbana and dates The Saturday's singer Mollie King, was recently announced as the new face of the autumn 2011 Collezione collection.

The chain has also confirmed that Lisa Snowdon, Jamie Redknapp and Twiggy 'remain key members of the M&S family' and will return in other autumn advertising campaigns.


Not such a change in direction: M&S have been previously criticised for their advertising campaigns featuring glamorous stars like Dannii Minogue, Twiggy and Lisa Snowdon


The Autograph collection as modelled by Ryan Reynolds and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley will be in M&S stores and online from September 1.

The new Limited Collection will also be on sale on the same day with its advertising campaign similarly focussed on the younger market. Up-and-coming models and actresses Sophie Byron, Suki Waterhouse and Louise De Chevigny model the sixties-inspired range which features animal print and body con dresses.


source:dailymail