Own a piece of retail history, says Debenhams

Working with designers such as Julien Macdonald, Betty Jackson and Henry Holland, Debenhams will launch the collection in October.

A waiting list will allow customers to pre-order pieces from Designers at Debenhams.

Debenhams, which has stores in Harrogate, Leeds, Wakefield, Scarborough, York, Doncaster, Hull and Sheffield, invented the designer collaboration concept and now has a stable of 32 international designers. It will celebrate 21 years of Designers at Debenhams next year.

Debenhams’ chief executive Michael Sharp said the collection will allow customers to own a piece of retail history.

“We are delighted to be celebrating 200 years as one of the best loved retailers and feel privileged to have been serving the public for two centuries,” he said.

Best sellers are expected to include a floor-length gold sequin glamorous dress from Star by Julien Macdonald and a luxury leather nude coat from Betty Jackson.

“We are thrilled to be offering our customers a chance to commemorate this momentous anniversary with a collection from our most influential designers,” said Mr Sharp.

Designer at Debenhams’ Henry Holland said: “Working with Debenhams has allowed me to reach out to women through my designs and dress them in exciting, affordable fashion. I hope our partnership continues for many years to come.”

Julien Macdonald said: “I have loved every minute of being a Designer at Debenhams over the past ten years. It has been an exciting, interesting and glamorous experience.”

The collection will also include decorative plates and mugs from Star by Julien Macdonald, Rocha by John Rocha, Ben de Lisi and Butterfly by Matthew William-son.

The retailer recently introduced three new designers at Debenhams. Savile Row tailor Patrick Grant has launched a menswear collection; Hammond & Co by Patrick Grant and interiors designers’ Abigail Ahern and Vikki Elizabeth have joined the Edition home concept with two new homeware collections.

Fashion week favourite Todd Lynn/Edition will also launch in stores next month.

The collection will be available online at Debenhams.com.

Prices start from £12.50 and go up to £299.

Customers can email [email protected] to be added to the waiting list.

The collection will include four coats, four evening dresses, premium leather handbags and purses and decorative plates.

Debenhams’ current designers include Jeff Banks, Jasper Conran, FrostFrench, Henry Holland, Betty Jackson, Jonathan Kelsey, Ben de Lisi, Julien Macdonald, Jane Packer, Jenny Packham, Pearce Fionda, Stephen Jones, Preen, Janet Reger, John Rocha, Jonathan Saunders, Marios Schwab, Ashley Thomas, Eric Van Peterson and Matthew Williamson.

Warm summer weather and stellar online sales have boosted recent trading at the company.

The group issued a profits warning in March due to the impact of January’s snowstorms, but last week it said it is on track to meet City forecasts.

Like-for-like sales rose 1.9 per cent in its final quarter to August 31 in a marked recovery after flat sales between March to June when the inclement weather hit trading.

The fourth quarter turnaround helped like-for-like sales to rise two per cent overall in the year to August 31.

The firm said it has won market share in womenswear and beauty.

Debenhams, which is second after John Lewis by annual sales, said online sales rose 46.2 per cent year-on-year, outperforming the market average of 14 per cent growth.

Analysts said the online growth partly reflects a catch-up with rivals that moved online much earlier, such as Next.

Revenue through mobile phones soared 128 per cent.

The group said it is winning market share and it will meet profit forecasts for its 2012-13 financial year.

“The summer weather was undoubtedly helpful, but we’ve grown market share which demonstrates that in a competitive market place the strategy is delivering,” said Mr Sharp.