Buy Now, Wear Forever
STELLA McCARTNEY’s dedication to sustainability plays out in a timeless FW19 collection inspired by Northern Soul
British designer Stella McCartney has long been synonymous with strength, femininity and sustainability, and for FW19, these brand hallmarks played out in a truly authentic and aesthetically striking way. As an industry leader in conscious fashion, McCartney linked her Paris-based show to a rainforest conservation project that she’s been involved with. The campaign is poignantly called ‘There She Grows’ and the idea behind it is to dedicate a tree to a loved one in order to raise awareness for the endangered Leuser Ecosystem in Indonesia. Heartfelt messages from the campaign decorated the runway and played out on social media via the hashtag #thereshegrows.
As is to be expected from McCartney, the collection itself further supported the call to take greater care of the environment. Pieces were crafted from fabrics such as organic cotton, eco-canvas, viscose sourced from certified forests and the brand’s pioneering alter-nappa vegetarian leather, while elements of upcycling served as a reminder that clothes as beautiful as these are made to be cherished forever.
McCartney has long been known for her soft takes on utility, and this season was no exception, taking hardworking, no-frills pieces such as jumpsuits and trench coats and rendering them in ultra-flattering and feminine silhouettes with cinched waistlines. Comprising classic neutrals and earthy khaki shades, the color palette reflected the utilitarian mood, too, with a multi-colored checked coat in red, black and white standing out as a particular highlight. There were also design references to Northern Soul threaded throughout the collection, lending a soft-focus nostalgia to closet basics – just take the chunky-soled, alter-nappa vegetarian leather sock boots that are at once playfully retro and coolly modern.
There is always a sensuality to McCartney’s world, too, and as well as the second-skin sock boots, one piece that had every show attendee swooning was the long, belted robe coat in the brand’s alter-nappa vegetarian leather. Adding a bold sense of structure to the collection, its strong shoulders and long, sweeping silhouette make it a seductive piece that would inject a sense of sartorial confidence into any outfit.
Paving the way for a greener future since its launch 18 years ago, McCartney has once again espoused ethics with aesthetics to elevate sustainable fashion on the runway and beyond through luxe and highly covetable fashion.