Now through May 17
Celebrated designer and sustainability advocate Stella McCartney shares picks from her latest collections and more green finds inspired by her eco-conscious ethos—just in time for Earth Day.
Stella on Stellabration
The trailblazer talks living sustainably, building her brand and what inspires her.
Q: What are some of the most common misconceptions about sustainable fashion?
A: You don’t have to sacrifice style and desirability for the sake of sustainability. I believe in leading by example, and I hope that I have proven over the last 20 years that you can be fashionable and relevant while still doing better with regards to the environment and conducting business in a conscious manner. When I started out, I was told that without using leather, I wouldn’t have an accessories business. People thought I was crazy, but I didn’t let that stop me! I am so proud to be able to offer alternative options like our Falabella bag—when customers pick up a Stella McCartney product and don’t know the difference from an animal product, then I have truly done my job.
Q: Tell us about your unisex collection, Shared.
A: There has always been a lot of fluidity in my womenswear—the balance of feminine and masculine is at the core of our DNA and comes from my time studying on Savile Row while I was at Central Saint Martins. I don’t think we have to be so explicit when it comes to womenswear and menswear anymore. With Shared, there is a fantastic opportunity for us to be much more candid.
Q: How has your adidas by Stella McCartney collab evolved over the years?
A: When I started to work with adidas in 2005, sports performance clothing for women wasn’t really addressed by fashion. I saw it as an opportunity to offer women something they could exercise in and feel great about how they looked. Now sportswear is everywhere—it’s become a lifestyle choice—so each season I find the partnership so exciting and am driven to find fresh looks, patterns and cuts.
Q: What’s next for the future of sustainable fashion?
A: Ninety-nine percent of what we wear ends up in landfills, meaning less than 1% of material used to produce clothing is recycled into new garments. The equivalent of one garbage truck of textiles is disposed of every second, which is horrifically wasteful. I am always thinking up new ways to use fabrics remaining from prior seasons. Going forward, we are pledging to further minimize our waste and increase our use of repurposed and upcycled fabrics.
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