Stella McCartney 1971- Present
Biography
Stella McCartney was born to the ex-Beatle, Paul McCartney and his wife Linda. She spent her early childhood on the road and traveled the world, while her parents were on tour for their band, the Wings. After the break up of their band, they relocated to a small organic farm. Despite coming from a high profile family she had lived a relatively normal childhood (Biography.com). She began her venture into the fashion industry in 1995, she had invited her friends and super models, Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss to wear her designs at the her graduation from London's Central St. Martins College of Art & Design. Two years upon graduating her became the head designer for Chloe. Although many critics stressed that her success was due to the family name, she was able to prove them wrong when the popularity of her designs began to grow. In 2001 she began to work with Gucci Group, which agreed to let her begin her own label. In addition to her own label she has also collaborated with Adidas and designed sportswear for soccer (NyCut).
Critical Analysis
Stella McCartney's aesthetics can be described by many as a combination of, feminine, cool, flattering, effortless, and a hint of androgyny (Harper's Bazaar). McCartney's way of pulling these concepts together work beautifully to create garments beloved by any age. The feminine touch in her clothing is always present, the even in the most structured pieces, you can feel see the elegance and poise of the garment. The subtle colors, as well as the soft designs create the feminine finish. While examining her designs it is hard to resist using the adjective cool, her aesthetics just have this freshness that makes the designs so distinct. The way that McCartney's designs cling to the body ensures that the look is always flattering, the cut so precise it brings out the best features of each design. Even in the bulkier pieces she keeps the same meticulous tailoring. The effortless quality of her designs is represented through the garments with simpler aesthetics, but still retain the same coolness (Horyn). McCartney takes garments with little detail and can still create a beautiful sophisticated look around it. From blazers to boxy silhouettes, McCartney always adds just a hint of androgyny to her collections. Despite the concept of the androgyny, McCartney still creates a feminine edge to it, she is able to take two contradicting and make them work harmoniously.
When talking about her influences to Harper's Bazaar McCartney states, “I grew up loving and admiring designers such as [John] Galliano and Jean Paul Gaultier; I trained at Central Saint Martins [College of Art and Design, London], which is famously avant-garde; and I loved being pushed conceptually" (Harper's Bazaar). Explaining her inspirations justifies her visions, and she used these inspirations to come up with her own signature style. In the same interview McCartney comments on who she designs for, “My clothes are for women of all ages, all shapes and sizes, all walks of life" (Harper's Bazaar). This statement shows how she values creating versatility for women, making clothes for woman that can be worn for a more practical use. It also describes how she has. The zeitgeist of the beginning of the 21st century was a time for change, technology, and incorporating the traditional ideas into a modernized way of thinking. For this generation individualism is greatly valued, and everyone wants a Stella McCartney's designs definitely mirror the concept of these times with
When talking about her influences to Harper's Bazaar McCartney states, “I grew up loving and admiring designers such as [John] Galliano and Jean Paul Gaultier; I trained at Central Saint Martins [College of Art and Design, London], which is famously avant-garde; and I loved being pushed conceptually" (Harper's Bazaar). Explaining her inspirations justifies her visions, and she used these inspirations to come up with her own signature style. In the same interview McCartney comments on who she designs for, “My clothes are for women of all ages, all shapes and sizes, all walks of life" (Harper's Bazaar). This statement shows how she values creating versatility for women, making clothes for woman that can be worn for a more practical use. It also describes how she has. The zeitgeist of the beginning of the 21st century was a time for change, technology, and incorporating the traditional ideas into a modernized way of thinking. For this generation individualism is greatly valued, and everyone wants a Stella McCartney's designs definitely mirror the concept of these times with
Influence on Future Fashion Trends
Stella McCartney's designs can be seen influencing the fast fashion in retail, especially in European retailers. McCartney has definitely had an influence on to British fashion, as so many of their retailers have also create designs with similar trends. Companies like TopShop, Asos, and Zara have clothing that are seemingly McCartney inspired pieces. The trends that they mostly sought after are the feminine and flattering shapes for dresses, where the garments have a more fitting form that cling to the body in the right places. Some trends that follow the same feminine style are the delicate lace inserts that McCartney has used in many of her designs. This has been a huge global trend for the past few years, and have been seen in almost every women fashion retailer. Another trend that McCartney has inspired was the blazer, and pant suit look. McCartney's take on the androgynous trend gives it a more feminine and flattering touch. This twist on the pant suit trend had made it more wearable for women. It has been seen on countless celebrities, as well as in retailers such as H&M and Forever 21.
Actress and fashion enthusiast Kate Bosworth describes, "Stella’s collections are made up of the most covetable pieces, the clothes you really do want to wear," she says. "If I had to dress from just one label, it would be hers. It’s just great because you can mix pieces from different seasons and it all just seems to go together. She’s so clever" (HarpersBazaar). This quote explains how Stella's designs have a conventional versatility. Even as a couture designer she puts together clothing for women of any kind, that work in such a conventional fashion. McCartney's designs are truly made for a real women in mind. Stella McCartney will always be an iconic designer for her beautiful signature style, of feminism, flattery, and effortlessness. The freshness of her designs keep her look distinctive, and her ability to pull off an amazing such as hers. She captures the essence of beauty and femininity that women want today.
Actress and fashion enthusiast Kate Bosworth describes, "Stella’s collections are made up of the most covetable pieces, the clothes you really do want to wear," she says. "If I had to dress from just one label, it would be hers. It’s just great because you can mix pieces from different seasons and it all just seems to go together. She’s so clever" (HarpersBazaar). This quote explains how Stella's designs have a conventional versatility. Even as a couture designer she puts together clothing for women of any kind, that work in such a conventional fashion. McCartney's designs are truly made for a real women in mind. Stella McCartney will always be an iconic designer for her beautiful signature style, of feminism, flattery, and effortlessness. The freshness of her designs keep her look distinctive, and her ability to pull off an amazing such as hers. She captures the essence of beauty and femininity that women want today.
Works Cited
"Stella Nina McCartney." Bio. A&E Television Networks, 2014. Web. 08 Sep. 2014.
Horyn, Cathy. "What Drives Stella McCartney." The New York Times. The New York Times, 25 Feb. 2012. Web. 9 Sept. 2014. <http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/26/magazine/stella-mccartney.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0>.
"Stella McCartney Designer Profile." The Cut. New York Times. Web. 9 Sept. 2014. <http://nymag.com/thecut/fashion/designers/stella-mccartney/>.
Stella McCartney Fall/Winter 2009. Digital image. WGSN. WGSN, n.d. Web.
Stella McCartney Fall/Winter 2014. Digital image. WGSN. WGSN, n.d. Web.
Gates, Sara. "Pant Suits: Is This A Celeb Style You'd Actually Wear? (PHOTOS)." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 30 Apr. 2012. Web. 09 Sept. 2014. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/30/pant-suit-style-celebs_n_1465014.html>.