Game-changing design, courtesy of Stella McCartney
Cutting edge and eco-conscious, let Stella McCartney’s endlessly wearable designs breathe new life into your off-duty look
A new decade is the perfect time to think about making more sustainable and eco-friendly fashion choices. And for Stella McCartney, sustainability is something that has been built into the brand’s DNA from day one. A true pioneer, it’s the deft way McCartney creates timely yet timeless – and, crucially, wearable – pieces from innovative fabrics that sets the designer apart; and her CR20 collection – titled ‘Force of Nature’ and, in part, inspired by the words of author and environmentalist Jonathan Safran Foer – is no exception.
McCartney has been redefining ‘sustainable’ fashion since she launched her eponymous line in 2001; and far from resenting the fact the rest of the industry has finally got the memo, she’s jubilant. In fact, she credits this new-found awareness with inspiring her to push the needle even further than ever before. “Everything that we stand for in our industry seems to have landed in a place that is finally understood. It really felt like it was the right season to build on that and bring it into the collection in a bolder way.” However, it’s important to point out that while her designs are often directional, McCartney puts function above all else. As a woman designing for women, she has been vocal about being inspired by the gaps in her own closet, and that her clothes, while beautiful to behold and wear, are always up to the rigors of modern life.
““Everything that we stand for in our industry seems to have landed in a place that is finally understood. It really felt like it was the right season to build on that and bring it into the collection in a bolder way”
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Take one of this season’s standout looks: an ombré denim jacket and jeans combination. The acid and aquamarine wash will undoubtedly turn heads but, ultimately, these are failsafe pieces that will slot seamlessly into your existing closet. Pair them for maximum effect, or let the jeans add a pop of color to sumptuous oversized knits, while the ’80s-style jacket can bring a directional edge to all-black outfits or toughen up summer dresses. However you style yours, one thing’s for sure: off-duty dressing is about to get a lot more fun.
It’s impossible to discuss the impact McCartney has had on women’s wardrobes without mentioning jumpsuits, which have become something of a signature for the designer; and it’s here that McCartney’s emphasis on functionality reaches its apotheosis. From sporty styles cast in ivory denim to more tailored pieces in a traditional indigo wash, these effortlessly elegant designs work for literally any occasion – from the school run and casual Fridays to gallery hopping. This endless versatility will not only leave you wondering what you wore before, it also extends from day to night, too. Simply switch out flat gladiator sandals for a heeled style – both vegan leather, of course – and swap a crocheted tote bag in favor of a chic clutch, and you’ll be ready for wherever the night takes you.
“It’s impossible to discuss the impact McCartney has had on women’s wardrobes without mentioning jumpsuits, which have become something of a signature for the designer
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It’s in this – her ability to produce beautiful clothes that seduce women with their potent mix of precision and nonchalance – that McCartney’s real talent lies. These are responsibly produced pieces that you’ll love and wear forever, which is, in itself, a form of sustainable dressing. McCartney is starting a movement, and it’s time to get involved.