Stella McCartney

Stella McCartney was born in London to a family of creators who were legendary in public, yet ordinary at home. Raised in both the city and the English countryside, she was kept grounded by her late mother and muse, Linda McCartney – a photographer, vegetarian and animal rights activist whose values and innate appreciation for beauty continue to inspire her today.

She graduated from Central St Martins in 1995, becoming immediately known for her womenswear’s sharp tailoring, bold aesthetics and masculine energy. By 1997, Stella was appointed the Creative Director of Chloé in Paris, leading the house to critical and commercial success.

In 2001, Stella McCartney launched her eponymous luxury fashion house in a 50/50 joint venture with Kering and showed her first collection in Paris that October.

A lifelong vegetarian, Stella has never used leather, feathers, skin or fur in any of her designs since day one – a revolutionary stance both then and now. Since those first seeds were planted, the brand has continued to grow its sustainability thought leadership through material and supply chain innovation, partnerships and beyond.

Stella was appointed Team Great Britain’s Creative Director for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London by adidas, marking the first time in the history of the games that a leading fashion designer has designed the apparel for a country’s team across all Olympic competitions.

In 2023, Stella was honored with a CBE, Commander of the Order of the British Empire, by His Royal Highness King Charles III in recognition of her services to fashion and sustainability.