The Parisian morning, though cloudy, saw the end of the rain, making way for Stella McCartney’s Spring/Summer 2025 show. The collection, unveiled in an outdoor setting, was a symphony of day-to-night wear, featuring bold shoulder suits, flowing trench coats, delicate lingerie-inspired evening dresses, and a nod to the 80s with Charles Jourdan-inspired heeled sandals and boxing boots that ignite our inner fire.
The new ‘Stella Rider’ bag, crafted from vegan materials, comes in a range of sizes, from petite to weekend-trip-worthy. Front row guests included McCartney’s friend, Natalia Vodianova, and, notably, Virginie Viard, recently departed from Chanel, seated with her son, Robinson Fyo. The scene spoke volumes about McCartney’s commitment to female solidarity and connection.
‘Being free like a bird soaring high in the sky,’ McCartney shared during a backstage interview. Her favorite look was a billowy, cloud-like mini-dress made from recycled plastic bottles. When asked about the ‘Mother’ inscription on a tank top, she explained, ‘We are all mothers, and we live on Mother Earth.’ She added, a little sheepishly, that the word ‘f*cker’ subtly printed beneath was a playful contrast to the softer message.
As the conversation flowed, McCartney spoke about the vibrant blue sky and the birds, the collection’s inspiration. Avian motifs graced printed tops, bras, necklaces, and bag charms, while Prince’s ‘When Doves Cry’ set the soundtrack. The show opened with an actor, Helen Mirren, reciting a manifesto inspired by Jonathan Franzen’s ‘The End of the End of the World,’ a book by the author and avid bird watcher. Taking a deep breath, McCartney stated, ‘This season, we’re raising a message – don’t kill birds.’
‘A billion and fifty million birds are killed for fashion. But wings belong to birds. And we take inspiration from birds with wings. This season is about being free like a bird soaring high, and viewing things from different perspectives, like masculinity and femininity,’ she continued.
McCartney, a designer who has built her business for over 20 years, doesn’t shy away from criticizing an industry that contributes to the climate crisis. Each seat at the show was adorned with a cap emblazoned with ‘About F*cking Time,’ the phrase used for a new campaign with PETA, and an original newspaper, ‘Stella Times’, filled with environmental facts. McCartney, with her signature British humor, has a knack for making people think about these uncomfortable truths. And she understands this well. The collection showcased was truly remarkable. We can only admire McCartney’s commitment to raising awareness about our precarious future.
