Stella McCartney, at the forefront of eco-responsible fashion.
08 February 2024
In the effréné world of fashion, singular lights daring designers who transcend the seasons to leave a legacy of impactful work that will leave a lasting impression.
Stella McCartney, born on September 13, 1971, is one of them, bringing an uncommon acuity and relevance to the eco-responsibility issues that now occupy a central place in the fashion industry.
But how has it make its mark in the industry while honoring its values?
In an interview with Le Monde in 2022, Stella McCartney gave her definition of fashion and luxury: “My definition of luxury is a product that has been made with love, with respect for nature.”
Daughter of Sir Paul McCartney and talented photographer Linda McCartney, Stella has boldly carved out her own path in the demanding world of fashion. It was at London’s Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design that she began to lay the foundations of an aesthetic revolution that included ecological issues, to which she remained fidèle throughout her career.
“It was that energy of being in Soho all the time, and the history and heritage of that place, and then the fact that other designers I knew and was friends with went there. It was the school par excellence. The place to be. ” she declares.
Witness her first collaboration at Chloé from 1997 to 2001, where she brought a souffle of modernity, redéfinishing the iconic house’s aesthetic with sleek, contemporary lines. A pivotal period, a decisive era that laid the foundations for a career that influenced fashion history.
The year 2001 marked the launch of her own eponymous brand, an ode to ethical and eco-responsible fashion, rare for its time.
Stella McCartney harmoniously combines elegance, trend and sustainability, affirming strong aesthetic and ethical axioms in an industry often singled out for its casualness on environmental issues.
The heart of the designer’s philosophy lies in the use of sustainable materials.
With its emphasis on organic fibres, organic cottons and recycled polyesters, the House is reducing its ecological footprint and establishing itself at the forefront of fashion.
This vision culminates in the innovative use of mushroom-derived leathers, making each piece a manifesto for planetary preservation, through landmark collaborations with Bolt Threads.
This ethical approach has solidified the eponymous brand’s reputation as a pillar of sustainable fashion, paving the way for a virtuous coexistence between elegance and environmental respect.
Over the years, Stella McCartney has turned her principles into a showcase and built collections with far-reaching repercussions.
The Autumn/Winter 2019 defilé, for example, turned into a dazzling celebration of sustainable fashion, hoisting eco-friendly fabrics and plant-based alternatives to leather onto the catwalks.
The designer also entered the skincare field in 2006, with her “Care by Stella Mccartney” range. She introduced values to this new market that were little understood at the time, developing a clean range with Ecocert-certified and pet-friendly formulas.
After several years of withdrawal, but aware of the growing appeal of the beauty sector, in 2022 she inaugurated her new “Stella” collection in collaboration with perfumer Francis Kurkdjian. She then created vegan products, with ecological packaging and herbaceous notes.
Deeply moved by innovations in favor of the environmental cause, she intends to donate 1% of sales revenues from this new line to an NGO specialized in the protection of marine spaces.
In this way, Stella McCartney offers a vision that is aware of the issues of her time without being austere. Airy, comfortable and supple, concerned with the daily lives of those who adopt her style, she goes beyond the ecological question to demonstrate the compatibility of her convictions with the fashion industry.
