Stella McCartney buys back stake from LVMH, but remains its sustainability ambassador

Designer Stella McCartney is buying back the minority stake held by LVMH in her fashion house, some five years after the French luxury giant bought into the business, the two companies said in a statement on Monday.

It marks a new era of independence after her association with two of the biggest groups in luxury fashion, McCartney having previously been backed by LVMH rival Kering, owner of Gucci and Saint Laurent. The Kering deal ended in 2019 ahead of her link-up with Dior and Louis Vuitton owner LVMH.

In the release, the companies said the last five years have been a “fruitful collaboration” but the designer now has the “desire to write a new page on her story independently, after working closely with the group to strengthen the fundamentals and governance of her house.”

She’s not cutting all ties with the Bernard Arnault-controlled luxury group and she’ll continue to advise both Arnault and his team of execs on sustainability issues as the group’s global ambassador on sustainability. This is perhaps no surprise given her long-held commitment to eco issues and her status as perhaps fashion’s most famous eco-warrior.

It’s only a month ago that animal rights activist group PETA named McCartney’s label “the leading brand for luxury, sustainable, and vegan pieces”.