Stella McCartney’s New Collection Brings A Cool Elegance To Our Closets
From statement cargo pants to second-skin ruching, the British designer’s spring/summer ’22 pieces capture the free-spirited mood of the ’00s
Stella McCartney, who is beloved for her sharp tailoring, pretty dresses, and cool-girl factor, is also, notably, the designer who has been leading the charge in sustainability since launching her namesake label in 2001. Her SS22 collection marked an important step forward in this area, with almost two thirds being crafted from eco-friendly materials.
The British designer’s commitment to eco-practises led her to mushrooms this season, which she declared to be the future of fashion (she is in the process of exploring the possibilities of Bolt Threads’ Mylo™️ mycelium leather). The show opened with a voiceover from mycologist Paul Stamets and ethereal music created from recordings of mushrooms as they develop. It wasn’t just the atmosphere that conveyed McCartney’s current obsession, she extended the theme to fringed ‘Fungi Forest’ bralettes and baggy pants, which were decorated with hand-drawn mushroom prints.
“Fringing lends a sense of movement to the collection, which is all about ‘sensual femininity’. It ‘engages Stella women to redefine sexiness through feelings of softness and lightness’
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The fringing lends a sense of movement to the collection, which, the show notes revealed, is all about “sensual femininity”. It “engages Stella women to redefine sexiness through feelings of softness and lightness”. What this means for us are breezy pale-denim shirt dresses for day, and sky-blue satin midis with of-the-moment, second-skin ruching for after-hours. These are the kind of easy throw-on-and-go pieces you can slip on with chunky flatforms and a sleek shoulder bag for effortless summer style.
One of the brand’s key bag styles this season is the ‘Frayme’ – a classic crossbody that is crafted from the brand’s vegetarian leather and adorned with its signature chunky whipstitched chain along the base. For something with office-to-out appeal, the capacious tote bags are just the ticket. And while the ’00s-esque, crescent-shaped shoulder bags may not fit your laptop, they will elevate off-duty denim and complement tailoring and eveningwear alike.
In fact, this blending of day-and-night was a running theme throughout the collection, working fabulously on a pair of low-key washed-cotton cargo pants paired with a sequin-and-lace bodysuit that gives “the appearance of a sparkling second skin”. Styled with a pair of pillowy flatform sandals, this is a look that reminds us comfort is paramount, and often a precursor to confidence – just another of McCartney’s much-loved hallmarks.