Got to hand it to Stella McCartney, she really does walk the talk. This season the eco-activist designer presented 16 new environmentally friendly resources in stalls at a 7th arrondissement market, and then included their cool products in her collection.
The neighborhood’s new name: the Stella Sustainable Market.
Like Keel.Labs, a New York company which displayed bags of its raw material – fresh seaweed. Turned into powder, then into Kelsun yarn and finally crochet, leading to several great posh hippie mirror and crochet gilets in the show.
Or NFW, for Natural Fiber Welding, from Illinois which produces mirum, made of a blend of natural rubber and plants, which is deposited on cotton backing and end up looking like uncannily beautiful faux leather in multiple grains. Once again seen in a series of handbags with chains.
To her credit, McCartney has long fought to raise eco-consciousness and it is great to see her struggle finally bearing fruit. On top of that, Stella staged a polished yet punchy collection as well, with lots of great tailoring, cool accessories and plenty of attitude.
Her finest moments in this co-ed show were a series of great suits, from the spectacular gold brocade three-piece, to a great Disco Dragon white suit for guys. She got rather lost at the end, going down a tunnel of overly draped chiffon dresses that didn’t work. But overall, this was fashion with a strong statement.
In effect, this summer 2024 collection was crafted from 95% conscious materials, making it Stella McCartney’s most responsible offering to date.
With a dozen LVMH executives sitting opposite a stand dedicated to clothes and memorabilia from her dad’s band Wings, she whipped up several great dusters and redingotes, worn with micro shorts, lace tops and some great slingbacks, composed of woven mirum. For the accessories, there were lots of looks with plastic pendants, plant like brooches and even medallions of the designer’s own face.
No one could ever fault Stella for being overly modest. But what’s a designer without a little ego, eh?
She also recycled classic rock LPS – Some Girls by The Rolling Stones, The Idiot by Iggy Pop and albums by Francoise Hardy, The Smiths and Elvis Presley. And had a stand displaying her long-time partnership with Adidas.
Taking her bow with a huge wave, the Eiffel Tower rising in the morning sun behind her.
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