Video: Debenhams to launch Christmas advert on Wednesday

The ad, an update on its autumn winter showing, follows a young couple who wish to be together for Christmas and are reunited when the boyfriend surprises his partner in the final scene set on an ice rink.

On the way, the audience shares a series of Christmas moments, such as celebrating at an opulent party, a little girl and boy shaking their Christmas presents under the tree to try and guess what’s inside and two best friends skating together on a spectacular outdoor ice rink.

It features product from Designers at Debenhams Julien Macdonald, Henry Holland, Jonathan Saunders and newcomer Patrick Grant and has the strap line ‘Wishes Made Fabulous’.

The ad airs on Wednesday during Coronation Street on ITV.

The soundtrack comes from artist Foxes, who has re-recorded a special orchestral Christmas mix of their “Youth” song. The track will be released on iTunes to coincide with the launch of Debenhams’ “biggest ever” multi-million pound Christmas campaign.

Debenhams marketing director Richard Cristofoli said: “Our advert builds on the success of our autumn/winter brand campaign with our new creative concept and bigger, more cinematic approach to production.

“It really captures the true sentiment of Christmas. It’s not quirky, or depressing, it’s all about celebrating moments that make Christmas special, and about making wishes come true, no matter how big or small.

“This year we are aiming to showcase more than ever the rich variety we have on offer from our unrivalled collection of Designers at Debenhams.”

The advert shows a series of scenes that are each momentarily frozen and transformed into a designer’s sketch.

Cristofoli said: “The sketch is a key moment as it highlights that some of fashion’s biggest names have created the looks you see on screen.”

Debenhams launched its first Christmas ad in six years last year. The hero piece in the advert, a Jonathan Saunders Edition red coat became its fastest selling coat ever, with a 400% uplift in sales in the first week of its airing and it sold out online within a week.

Two hero pieces feature in this year’s advert are a Hammond & Co Nelson coat from Patrick Grant for him and a Jonathan Saunders Edition Crombie coat for her. Cristofoli said is merchandising teams had been working hard to guarantee good stock levels in preparation for enhanced demand for these products.

Other key items featured include a Star by Julien Macdonald jumpsuit and an H! by Henry Holland robin jumper.

Actress Billie Piper remains the voice of the ad campaign; with the words ‘Whatever you wish for this Christmas, make it fabulous with Debenhams’ and ‘wishes made fabulous’ giving a festive twist to its familiar ‘Life Made Fabulous’ strapline.

Debenhams has also created an online hub to encourage customers to share their Christmas wishes, whether it be finding the perfect present for a friend, picking the perfect Christmas outfit or even flying across the world to see loved ones. 

Each week people entering wishes have the chance to win a £300 giftcard at www.wishesmadefabulous.com.

This will be supported by a social media campaign encouraging customers to share their favourite #wishesmadefabulous on Twitter and Facebook.

The Debenhams Christmas advert will also interact with the X Factor app in its premier week, and during the show the app will invite people to shop the ad instantly.