Setting a trend? Patricia Fields on the red carpet in 2001

You may have loved the series and be eager to see the film, but would you - could you - wear the clothes?

Marks & Spencer appears to think so. Following the popularity of Sex And The City, the store has decided to unleash the Carrie Bradshaw inside all of us. And it's hired the designer behind the TV character's iconic wardrobe to help her out.

But Patricia Field, 66, who will design a one-off collection for the chain, isn't exactly a chip off the old M&S block, judging by the picture on the right.

As Kim Cattrall, who plays Samantha in the series, put it: "'There is no one like Patricia Field, she creates trends by herself."

The New York stylist is renowned for bringing together designer accessories such as Manolo Blahnik stilettos and Fendi bags. But she is also known as an "in-your-face" designer - hardly the kind of approach to which the average M&S customer is accustomed.

However, the store certainly thinks it's on to a winner.

Kate Bostock, executive director of clothing, said: "As soon as we heard about the collection, I knew we had to have it."

Designs are a secret, but the 35 pieces, in store from October, will include a floral-print dress in champagne and black, with puffball skirt, and a black stretch, satin-corseted halterneck dress.

Miss Field, 66, who won an Emmy for her work on Sex And The City, has also won over Sarah Jessica Parker.

The actress, who plays Carrie, believes the designer to be "indispensable", and calls her rule-breaking "infectious".

Now all that remains to see is whether M&S shoppers agree.

The move signals a first for M&S - which just announced profits of £1 billion - as they've never worked with a designer on a once-in-a-lifetime range in this way before.

Field's other credits include Ugly Betty and The Devil Wears Prada.

Patricia Field said of the collection: "I have conceptualized the line as 'Destination Style New York' and it consists of iconic womenswear including matching accessories. I like to see it as expression of my philosophy of 'the democratisation of luxury'".

Style icon: Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw with her signature corsage, and left, stylist Patricia Field at the premiere of the Sex And The City movie, who created the famous look

"The Patricia Field for M&S Collection will be a unique chance to make New York's hottest styles part of every woman's wardrobe. It embodies the splashy and exuberant lifestyle that I have consistently created in my work with superstars as Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Catrall, Lucy Liu or Meryl Streep.

"The collection has a luxury appeal with a wink to on-trend, high octane glamour and focuses primarily on dresses as well as a capsule collection of tops, trousers and accessories."

So what can we expect?

Each piece within the collection will reflect Patricia Field's individual signature styling. Fabrics will include silks, georgettes, metallics and stretch satins.

Prints feature significantly from polka dots, stars, stripes, animal print and traditional florals.

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Get the look: Grab yourself a piece of the SATC fashion action when the Patricia Field collection for Marks & Spencers is released in October