To me, the way forward is a totally couture sequined cape with a pair of jeans or an incredible evening gown with a denim jacket, mixing luxury with non-luxury. -- Stella McCartney, Vogue
Her friends are famous. So's her dad. She sets trends with her figure-loving designs and her talent helped increase French house Chloé's revenues by as much as 500%, according to some reports.
She then went to Gucci, where she was given her own label which debuted for Spring '02.
Stella McCartney, daughter of ex-Beatle Paul McCartney, has set the fashion world on fire with her tight T-shirts, ultra hip pants and ability to make wearable clothes that actually sell at retail (albeit to rich young things with money).
Vital stats
Awards: VH1/Vogue designer of the year, 2000
Education: London’s Central St Martin’s College of Art & Design
Born: 1972
Started in the business: At age 15 she worked with Christian Lacroix on his first couture collection; eponymous line started the year she graduated college; 1997 appointed chief designer at Chloé, a French design house.
Known for: Sexy clothes with a whiff of romance
What you might not know about her
- She is an adamant animal-rights supporter -- even narrating a PETA expose video of a US fur farm.
- She's pals with models Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss.
- It's rumored that she turned down a job working for Gucci because the Italian house uses leather (she has it written in her contract: no fur or leather).
- The president of Chloe claims he didn't hire her for her famous last name: He told Vogue he thought her name had been Stella McCarthy.
- The customer she designs for: Herself: 'I design things I want but can't get.'
- Notable quote: "We've done the feminist thing and beaten men down, and now we want to lure them back. I think there's a danger in being too girly though." -- Time Magazine
Famous clients
Cameron Diaz, Madonna, Liv Tyler, Gwyneth
How you can get the look
- Skintight trousers and jeans, preferably hipsters, are a Stella basic.
- Top off the slim bottoms with extra tight Tshirts or ethereal blouses.
- Put the emphasis on the top half of the body with halter necks, plunging necklines, strategically placed graphics, wide belts, one-shoulder styles.
- -Stella is also known for exquisitely cut pantsuits and lovely details like antique buttons, and lace.
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