In recent years, Stella McCartney's name and brand have become associated with almost any sustainable fashion event, conference, innovation, and collaboration in the industry. In many interviews, Stella aims to lead the fashion industry into an era where she and her team challenge and push boundaries to make luxury products in a way that suits the world of today and tomorrow.
She has been proving for years that each collection can be more sustainable than the previous one, without losing an ounce of creativity and beauty. She has been using organic cotton since 2008 and 85% of her Resort 2023 collection is sustainably produced, a new record for the brand, which has included shoes and bags made from grape skin.
The brand’s commitment to sustainability goes beyond fashion, and its latest business initiative is focused on the world of beauty. She also launched the beauty brand Stella McCartney, a cosmetic firm in which 99% of the ingredients are organic.
Spring Summer 2023 Collection
Pioneer of sustainable luxury fashion presented her Spring Summer 2023 collection last October on the ramp of the Pompidou art center overlooking the streets of the fashion city. Making a metaphor for the purpose of her brand, the location tied in well with the theme of technological materials with which the creator composes her designs, and with which she is trying to change one of the most polluting industries, fashion, from within.
The ultimate standard-bearer of sustainability in the luxury fashion sector did so even by showing its most sustainable collection to date (87%). However, far from boasting about this great achievement, McCartney seeks to demonstrate that sustainability does not clash with luxury and, furthermore, states that sustainability isn't what should be appreciated, but that the clothes still look luxurious.
This time, McCartney dared to use an amalgamation of fabrics, mostly of sustainable origin thanks to eco-leather, organic cotton, and denim, which are mixed to create a totally versatile and street-ready style.
What Materials Were Used?
She used regenerative organic cotton, faux fur made from grape skins, mycelia mushrooms, and other recyclable materials for the various looks in the Spring-Summer 2023 collection. Known as Mycelium, the mushroom leather material is treated with mild acids, alcohols, and dyes before it’s dried and embossed. The final product feels and looks like real leather and is used for purses, bags, and shoes.
Stella McCartney has been responsible for developing and perfecting Mylo, another alternative to leather developed by biotech company Bolt Threads that is also a fungal by-product. Known as Microsilk, it's biodegradable and 100 percent vegan and is produced with mycelium. McCartney also uses GOTS-certified organic cotton, and regenerated nylon, ECONYL® by Aquafil, which is a synthetic yarn derived from the regeneration of recycled plastic polymers.