M&S Dress the Nation kicked off on ITV on Tuesday night, sparking divided opinions among fans who compared it to a similar BBC show. Hosted by Vernon Kay and AJ Odudu, the show features ten amateur designers, including a financial director and a lecturer, all competing for the chance to create designs for the luxury retailer. Nerves ran high as the contestants were also judged by Spice Girls star Mel B.
Meanwhile, fans quickly compared the show to BBC 's rival show, The Great British Sewing Bee. Taking to X, one viewer wrote: “Wait. So.
Is this just sewing bee but with a proper prize? #DressTheNation.” Another person chimed in: “So #DressTheNation seems to be Sewing Bee with added celebs and plugs for M&S.” A third person fumed: “#dressthenation is a Sewing Bee rip off without the heart of Bee but too many presenters.
” In their first challenge, contestants designed simple and chic summer dresses. For the second challenge, they teamed up to create a "mini collection for a summer weekend away," aiming to impress both the experts and shoppers. However, Women's Wear Week spelled disaster for one particular contestant.
At the end of the first challenge, Derbyshire mum Julie Watson ended up with a dress she didn’t like. She quickly criticised her original dress as a “nurse uniform” and attempted to make a second one, but despite her efforts, Julie ended up in last place. As they observed her, one expert remarked: “Looks like she still got her work cut out.
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