Stella ‘Makes with Love’
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer
One of the most talented designers of our time is taking another leap of faith, jumping into an area of style filled with love and decadence. Stella McCartney knew she had that passion for design at the age of 13 when she finished her first creation. Her dream became a reality when she launched the Stella McCartney brand in 2001. From that time forward, her realm of design has expanded rapidly as customer demand has only increased for those distinctive styles made with the ‘Stella attitude’. Besides clothing for women, men and children, the McCartney label also offers perfume, skincare, lingerie and accessories.
The year 2018 has become one of the most recognized years yet for McCartney. After it was revealed that she was the designer of Meghan Markle’s opulent wedding reception dress this past April, the gown was in major demand. That prompted the creation of the fashion house’s newest collection which is so appropriately called “Stella McCartney Made With Love.”
As a glowing bride slips into any of the gorgeous styles from this collection, they feel that sense of ultimate indulgence in individuality and they exude an air of confidence that can be easily spotted. There are 17 different pieces representing a more contemporary take on the wedding gown tradition. From tulle to satin, the looks go from slinky to seductive, from sequined to simple, from flowing to body-hugging slip dress. Brides have choices, wearing a more customary gown or opting for an alternative look such as a statement ivory tux or a lace embroidered jumpsuit. Elegant cape accents and cut-out backs highlight some of the looks of the collection. To channel the ‘Meghan Markle’ in all of us, McCartney is duplicating a high-neck gown with sweeping train. Stella released a limited 23 lily white dresses back in June.
Keeping with Stella’s environmentally friendly practices, all the pieces in the collection are made of luxurious sustainable viscose and updates to the traditional couture fabrics. Each piece is also designed with the intent that they be worn more than just this one time, that they be an integral part of a woman’s wardrobe and worn fluidly again and again.
The ‘Made with Love’ Collection is manufactured in Puglia, Abruzzo and Marche, Italy, with careful attention to detail and meticulous craftsmanship. Making the experience even more personalized, when a bride makes her final choice after coming to one of Stella’s shops for a personal consultation, the gown or suit will have a blue tag sewn in it with a personal message from Stella McCartney herself. This is part of keeping with the tradition of ‘something blue.’
As Stella has explained, ““It’s something that I feel very passionately about and is very close to my heart. I think that in this day and age, the wedding day is something very different to how it’s traditionally perceived, and I think that the house of Stella McCartney really represents something a little more effortless.”
Stella is not stopping here. Very soon she plans on adding accessories, menswear, flower girl and page boy options to the collection.
Besides focusing on this ‘Made with Love’ collection, Stella is diving deeper into philanthropy. On October 15th, 2018, McCartney announced the launch of ‘Stella McCartney Cares Foundation’, a charity dedicated to breast cancer. Having lost her own mom to breast cancer in 1998, this is a very near and dear charity to Stella. The charity will donate 1,000 of their Louis Listening post-operative mastectomy compression bras to women undergoing breast cancer treatment.
Additionally, Stella McCartney Cares Pink is a platform dedicated to the prevention, early detection and treatment of breast cancer through education, awareness and support. This is a platform that is very close to Stella’s heart.
The designer can say that ‘2018 is one of her best years yet’ for the brand as she moves into all facets of design and she reaches out to support a charity that means so much to her.
Photo Credits: Google Images and ‘Daily Mail’
