After 17 fruitful years of challenging industry standards, Stella McCartney stands at a crossroads. She has a few weeks to decide whether or not she wants to buy back 50 percent of her company from its parent conglomerate, Kering, which initially helped her launch the brand back in 2001 as a joint venture. Nothing is certain now, but with a pivotal business moment on the horizon, McCartney felt introspective.
For Fall/Winter 2018, she examined what her brand stands for in the industry, and of any designer, her role is well-defined. Her radical vision to create high fashion for the modern woman without sacrificing the lives of animals was groundbreaking when first introduced. Her refusal to compromise on the quality of her sustainable materials has resulted in textile innovations that have changed the way other designers approach alternative materials as well. She is a pioneer and a fearless leader in an industry reluctant to embrace change.
Whether or not she parts ways with Kering, her vision for fashion’s ethical future remains vital.
A look back meant a collection filled with Stella McCartney signatures. That translated to a familiar interplay between feminine, deconstructed dresses and borrowed-from-the-boys suits and separates, as well as a new sneaker style called ‘Loop’ trainers, which were made from Alter Nappa (really convincing fake leather) and constructed without the use of glue. Menswear elements came by way of three-piece suits made from elegantly layered robes or relaxed, longline jackets, rope-belted vests, and lean trousers.
Knits were particularly eye-catching, done as chunky dresses with sheer inlays or in Coogi-esque sweaters and blankets. Eveningwear combined the casual with the elevated in a series of sheer and lace dresses paired with vibrant printed maxis underneath. Worn with sneakers, these looks supported the casual but ultra-modern aesthetic Stella McCartney is known for. Whether or not she parts ways with Kering, her vision for fashion’s ethical future remains vital.
