Have you heard of sustainable fashion? Many designers today are using an eco-friendly fashion philosophy – to support environmentalism and social responsibility through their designs. These designers use environmentally friendly materials, make sure that the production of the garments are socially responsible, and also some designers see to it that a portion of the sales go to charity.
One such sustainable fashion designer is Stella McCartney, daughter of former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney. Stella first began designing outfits at the young age of 12. In only three years, she found herself interning with Christian Lacroix. She studied at the Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication and the Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design.
Stella intertwines her personal beliefs with her fashion. Raised by vegetarian parents, Stella is a lacto-ovo-vegetarian, meaning that while she doesn’t eat beef, lamb, pork, poultry, fish, shellfish, or any type of meat; she does consume dairy and egg products. She is also a supporter of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), another cause both her parents supported.
As for her fashion design, Stella has a no animal policy, meaning that she doesn’t use fur or leather in her clothing. She used to wear repurposed or vintage fur or leather, but stopped, saying it was difficult to tell what was vintage and what wasn’t and she didn’t want to send the message that she approved of fur or leather use. However, she does use wool, silk, and other fabrics that are derived from animals while incorporating other organic fabric.
Stella says that she believes that sustainable fashion is “where fashion is going.” She admits that finding proper organic products for items like shoes or bags is challenging. She enjoys it immensely when her customers look at an item, think “I love that,” and then realize later that it is environmentally friendly.
If you would like to see Stella’s fashion, check out her online U.S. store.
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