Stella McCartney (1971-Present)
Introduction/Biography
(Stylesight)
Stella Nina McCartney was born on September 1971 in London, England. She was born to ex-Beatle Paul McCartney and his wife, Linda. Stella’s early life was shaped by her father’s intense recording and touring schedule. Not long after Stella’s birth, the Beatle breaks up and her parent began a new band called Wings. Growing up Stella and her three other siblings gets to follow their parent and travels the world. The breakup of Wings led Stella and her family to move to a farm in Sussex, and began their new lives in a country side to grow vegetables and raise farm animals. Stella was first introduced to the fashion world in 1995, when she invited her friends to model her clothing collection at her graduation from London’s Central St. Martins College of Art & Design (Biography). Two years after her graduation, she began her career as a head designer for Chloe. Stella also worked for many companies including Gucci, H&M, and Adidas. At Gucci, Stella McCartney was able to have her own label.
In her early years, Stella McCartney was known for her distinctive looks which combines feminine romanticism and urban modernity. Her designs consist of flowing fabrics in pastel color palette, lace, puff sleeves, and masculine cut (Werle 153). Many of her designs are very flirtatious and feminine.
In her early years, Stella McCartney was known for her distinctive looks which combines feminine romanticism and urban modernity. Her designs consist of flowing fabrics in pastel color palette, lace, puff sleeves, and masculine cut (Werle 153). Many of her designs are very flirtatious and feminine.
Designs
Critical Analysis
Stella McCartney as known for her committed vegetarians and her love for animals. Being an animal right activist, Stella McCartney opposes any designers who use fur and leather in their clothing. “Like her mother, Stella is a staunch vegetarian, and her clothes reflect that. Absent is the use of any leather or fur in her collections. Her hardened stance has even provoked her to criticize others who do use animal products in their work as heartless” (Biography). Stella McCartney’s love for animals has shaped much of her designing concept. In her works, Stella McCartney was able to reflect the zeitgeist or spirit of the time based on her mother’s vegetarian influences.
Stella McCartney was influenced by many designers including Tom Ford, Marc Jacobs, and Donna Karan. While at Gucci, Tom Ford serves as a mentor and friend to Stella McCartney to form her own clothing line. His influence has shaped her ideas and beliefs. Marc Jacob was known for his pop and youth culture of clothing, in the same way McCartney has presented her designs to create clothing that are fresh and innovative. They have shared the love for early influences in the 1970’s and 1980’s (Palomo-Lovinski 84). Donna Karan is the most inspirational designers, Stella McCartney was greatly influenced by Donna Karan as an independent entrepreneur and use themselves as a source of inspiration (Palomo-Lovinski 85).
Stella McCartney is an icon in today’s fashion industry because she was the first designers to ever consider environmentalism and animal rights as a branding tool. Her ideas appeals to many peoples who are concerned about the environment and the future. Stella McCartney’s design allows many women to feels good about themselves by doing the right thing. “Staring the dialogue of what the fashion industry must acknowledge in the 21st century” (Palomo-Lovinski 84).
Analysis of Future Trends
(Stylesight)
Stella McCartney is the future trend herself because she was able to use environmental and animal rights ideas in her designs and still be able to create a fabulous garment without using leathers or furs in her garments. Also, her use of soft tailoring is what McCartney was known for. McCartney’s idea of girly and flirty clothes has inspired many younger generation designers like Antonio Berardi, Proenza Schouler, and Richard Chai. In Antonia Berardi’s Spring 2010 collection he presented a combination of soft tailoring fabrics with a lingerie look that seem to be inspired by McCartney. Proenza Schouler’s Spring 2009 collection also features the soft tailoring that influences by McCartney’s characteristic style. As for Richard Chai, he introduced many soft tailored jackets with roomy and comfortable pants similar to McCartney’s ideas.
McCartney did create a lasting “signature” silhouette in the fashion history. She was famous for her soft tailoring designs with feminine, girly, and sexy characteristic. Stella McCartney wants to create clothing that is about the aesthetic quality then adding the benefit of sustainable design (Palomo-Lovinski 85). In many of her collection, she created something wearable, modern and comfortable.
McCartney did create a lasting “signature” silhouette in the fashion history. She was famous for her soft tailoring designs with feminine, girly, and sexy characteristic. Stella McCartney wants to create clothing that is about the aesthetic quality then adding the benefit of sustainable design (Palomo-Lovinski 85). In many of her collection, she created something wearable, modern and comfortable.
Work Cited
"Stella McCartney Biography." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2012. <http://www.biography.com/people/stella-mccartney-20680899>.
"Stella McCartney." Stylesight. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2012. <http://www.stylesight.com/search/search.php>.
Palomo-Lovinski, Nöel. "Stella McCartney." The World's Most Influential Fashion Designers: Hidden Connections and Lasting Legacies of Fashion's Iconic Creators. New York, NY: Barron's, 2010. 84-85. Print.
Werle, Simone. "Stella McCartney." 50 Fashion Designers You Should Know. Munich: Prestel, 2010. 152-53. Print.