JILL MCDONALD

Managing director of clothing, home and beauty

DRESSING FOR SUCCESS

The woman responsible for setting the M&S fashion agenda reveals what she loves about our confidence-boosting workwear

My job is to ensure M&S creates stylish must-haves customers can trust. I’ve loved clothes since I was six, but since joining M&S last year, I’ve learned so much from designers and buyers about how to mix and match. When my career started there was a set work outfit – a smart skirt suit or dress – but it’s more versatile now. You can wear jeans with a jacket, or tapered joggers with a cashmere sweater.

What’s most surprised me about M&S is the number of brilliant pieces. I always visited for cosy knitwear or Flexifit underwear, but the jeans have been a revelation, for both comfort and fit. This season I’m looking forward to shoe shopping; we’ve got great stuff in the pipeline, from beautiful leopard-print boots to lovely leather court shoes.