The experience of attending a Stella McCartney show is truly unique and captivating. This particular event featured the eye-catching slogan “About F—king Time” emblazoned on caps placed at every seat, along with a copy of The Stella Times, a thoughtfully curated newspaper that highlights McCartney’s commitment to sustainability in luxury fashion and her numerous achievements within the industry.
The spring 2025 collection was a testament to McCartney’s dedication to eco-conscious practices, boasting an impressive 91 percent of materials sourced sustainably. Guests at the event proudly carried the new Ryder bag, a striking 100 percent vegan top-handle design that features a distinctive sloped back reminiscent of a saddle-less horse—a nod to one of McCartney’s favorite animals, although she expresses her love for all creatures, including birds.
As attendees arrived, they were treated to a vibrant, carnival-like soundtrack that set the mood for the show. Celebrities such as Rob Lowe, Juliette Binoche, Tiffany Haddish, Natalie Portman, and former Chanel designer Virginie Viard, who is a longtime admirer of McCartney, added to the star-studded atmosphere. Viard herself donned a stylish black bomber jacket designed to mimic the look of fur, showcasing her appreciation for McCartney’s artistic vision.
Despite the enchanting outdoor setting, Mother Nature made her presence known with brief rain showers throughout the show. Attendees enjoyed the unexpected charm of a bumblebee that sent actress Jameela Jamil into a surprised scramble, resulting in her tossing her half-eaten croissant over a fence. Other renowned figures in attendance, like Natalia Vodianova, playfully rushed to claim their seats just in time for the show to commence.
McCartney’s latest collection struck a harmonious balance between masculine and feminine aesthetics, featuring powerful tailoring characterized by strong shoulders and classic pinstripes, alongside trendier, sexier elements such as form-fitting knit dresses and bandeau tops. Numerous sheer, delicately draped pieces made their way down the runway, embodying the sensuality that has become prevalent in this European fashion season.
Known for her minimalist design philosophy, McCartney manages to infuse her pieces with a sense of drama achieved through strategic use of volume, eye-catching sparkles, and playful trailing streamers, not to mention the sculpted abs that many models showcased. Accessories took center stage, particularly the Ryder bags available in an array of sizes, as well as intricately hand-carved dove jewelry crafted from repurposed gold and silver sourced from photocopiers and medical X-rays.
In an intimate backstage moment, McCartney explained that the phrase “About F—king Time” echoed sentiments that resonate on many levels, including a powerful call to action regarding environmental issues. Reflecting on her philosophy, she emphasized, “For me, it’s about f—king time that we stopped killing animals for fashion. About one and a half billion birds are killed for fashion a year… For some reason, nobody likes cows, but birds? Everybody loves birds.”
In line with her beliefs, not a single feather was utilized in the collection. Instead, she incorporated beautiful dove motifs printed on lightweight silk dresses, while the soundtrack featured Prince’s soothing melodies that encouraged listeners not to cry. The collection also showcased puffball bomber jackets designed to mimic the appearance of fluffy chicks. Remarkably, those jackets were crafted from recycled plastic bottles transformed into a dreamy, cloud-like fabric.
“We’re a very strange fashion house,” McCartney remarked, acknowledging the delicate balance between sustainability and high fashion in her work. “We have sustainability and the fight against animal cruelty at the core of everything we do, while also being committed to delivering designs that look effortless and beautiful.”
Ultimately, McCartney’s show delivered an uplifting and inspiring message, further emphasized by Helen Mirren’s resonant voice accompanying the music: “A world where there are only planes in the sky, and no song in the trees, will never make the heart soar.”
