Released on: 15 Apr 2014

Debenhams has today revealed its continued commitment to the hottest new designers by announcing the extension of Todd Lynn's Edition Womenswear range into a covetable collection of handbags. The news comes on the same day that the retailer's latest half year results show that the brand maintained good market share in key product areas. 

Todd Lynn, who has dressed music legends including Mick Jagger, Beyoncé, and The Klaxons, in his signature androgynous design style, will launch an exclusive range of handbags for Edition at Debenhams in Autumn/Winter 2014. 

The new collection strikes a balance between luxury leather and beautiful investment pieces, yet is priced for the high street - enabling customers to acquire a 'must-have' item from one of the most sought after designers from London Fashion Week. 

With the retailer's unrivalled portfolio of 28 designers, the expansion of Todd Lynn's range is testament to the success of its vision to provide aspirational and inspirational product ranges for customers. Debenhams, the first high-street retailer to offer its own designer collections, is now showcasing them across its full range to meet customer demand - working with some of the hottest names in global fashion and the most in vogue homeware creators. 

The new launch looks to further reinforce Debenhams' fashion credentials, in particular the 'next generation' of designer talent introduced by its Edition model. Edition is a fluid designer concept where emerging fashion week talent is signed for a minimum of four seasons, with the aim being able to identify the next generation of designers at Debenhams.

With 'sartorial rebellion' inspiring the formal element of the new collection, with 'grunge luxe' making up the more casual look, the range consists of 12 individual styles, featuring oversized clutches, totes and backpacks in a mutted palette.

Accessories is a key area of focus of the retailer, who has the UK's largest market share in bags at 12.7%, up 1.2% on last year.

The retailer is exclusively able to provide a unique proposition to high street customers, with designer collections spanning its ranges in Womenswear, Menswear, Kidswear, Homewear, Lingerie and Accessories like shoes & handbags, providing the perfect way to introduce customers to the latest trends.  

Says Susie Calvert, Trading Director of Women's Accessories and Lingerie at Debenhams: "We are delighted to announce the introduction of Todd Lynn's handbag collection, with his initial Womenswear collection already proving a great hit with customers. The fashion forward designer collaborations are a key focus, and we remain committed to their success.

"Our designer ranges transcend the gap between bespoke and off-the-peg clothing and accessories, and enables customers to buy high quality, designer items at high street prices. The varied yet focused designer offering means that customers can shop established industry names such as Jasper Conran, Betty Jackson and Matthew Williamson alongside aspirational new designers, such as Todd Lynn, Jonathan Saunders and Preen."         

Says Todd Lynn, "My Womenswear collection, introduced last year, has proven a big success with the strong-minded Edition customer. I am thrilled to be able to grow my offering into a handbag collection, taking inspiration from signature pieces in my collection and adapting them for a customer who knows style and fashion. We appeal to the woman who has an awareness of trends but doesn't necessarily follow them - she sets them." 

The Todd Lynn Edition handbag collection will launch in Debenhams stores and online in September 2014, priced between £75 to £175.

Today, Debenhams also announced robust growth in its multi-channel and international markets, alongside a successful store modernisation programme - championed by the £25 million transformation of its iconic flagship store on Oxford Street. The results indicate that shoppers are increasingly viewing Debenhams as the go-to retailer for a premium customer experience both on-line and in-store, offering great quality and designer inspiration

For more information, please contact: Paula Figgett, Senior PR Manager, Debenham

Debenhams is a leading international, multi-channel brand with a proud British heritage which trades out of 240 stores across 28 countries. Debenhams gives its customers around the world a unique, differentiated and exclusive mix of own brands, international brands and concessions. In the UK, Debenhams has a top four market share in womenswear and menswear and a top ten share in childrenswear. It leads the market in premium health and beauty. Debenhams is the eleventh biggest UK online retailer by traffic volume and in March 2013 was awarded "International Growth Initiative of the Year" and "The Retail Technology Initiative of the year for Endless Aisle" at the Oracle Retail Week Awards. Debenhams has been investing in British design for 20 years through its exclusive Designers at Debenhams portfolio of brands. 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.

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