The inspirational Stella McCartney
October 22nd 2010 04:33
It's hard to imagine that a world-renowned fashion designer and the daughter of a music legend could be so down-to-Earth, and yet, this is precisely what Stella McCartney is. The hard working mum-of-three (with another on the way) comes across as startlingly real for someone who works in an industry so firmly entrenched in elitism and fantasy: a personality trait McCartney attributes to her unexpectedly 'normal' upbringing.
"It sounds ridiculous, but I grew up in two-bedroom houses with six people and one toilet, which is not what you think for an international rock star situation," McCartney told Marie Claire magazine recently. "My Dad still prefers cozy places and my Mum would have preferred if we could all have slept in one room."
The McCartneys also opted for a public school education for their children, something that, even today, is practically unheard of for a family of such stature. "Going to the normal comprehensive [public school] was one of the best things that could have happened to me," said Stella. "It was healthy to see how most people in the world live. That's why I freak out that my kids aren't doing that."
Stella had always hoped to be living in the country and sending her kids to 'regular' schools by now, but what she didn't count on was the phenomenal success of her fashion empire. After graduating from design college in the mid-1990s, Stella launched her eponymous fashion label in 2001 and her clothes have been sought after by celebrities and fashion's elite ever since. As such, she's had to remain in the city to focus on her business, and had little choice but to send her children to the local private schools.
"It's one of my biggest internal struggles - the whole schooling system in London and the fact that my kids are going to a posh school," she lamented. "But it's not realistic to live in the country at this stage; I've got a business in London. If at any stage it looks like they're becoming total jerks and saying 'hello Mummy' in posh voices instead of running in and just being their awful selves, then you have to knock it on the head."
Famously, McCartney has refused to have any fur or leather in her collections from the very beginning, and, like her parents Paul and his late wife Linda, is a passionate animal rights activist. Right now she's campaigning to redesign the hats worn by the Queen's Guard, so that they're made with faux bear fur, rather than the real fur they currently have on display.
She's also keenly aware of the fact that having such a famous family has gone a long way towards getting her name out there in the world of fashion. "I wouldn't be as stupid as to say that having the parents I've had and meeting the people I've met hasn't helped my career," she told Marie Claire. "For instance, not doing leather and fur in my industry is unheard of. I've been able to do that from day one because in the back of my mind if someone goes, 'You're fired,' I could go, 'Okay Mum, lend us a fiver.'"
She recently had an impressive showing at Paris Fashion Week, with a Spring/Summer line that contrasted neutrals with bold, fruity fabrics, in typically modern silhouettes. Her children's wear line, Stella McCartney Kids, is to be launched in less than two weeks' time (click here for a sneak preview). Said Stella of her children's wear collection, "I wanted to create a desirable, fun, wearable kids collection that was affordable. I felt like all the timeless children’s wear is reserved for the expensive brands and that did not sit well with me."
Reflecting on years past, McCartney says that she's in a good place right now - something that she finally feels comfortable admitting, despite knowing how easily fame, success, and personal happiness can provoke envy in others.
"This is a good period," she says. "You feel like everyone hates you if you've got a good life. Now I feel maybe it's allowed because I've had my share of sadness. My Mum passing away [of breast cancer, in 1998] was a big change in my happy little life and I was unhappy for a long time after that. But she always used to say 'health is wealth' and I really try to remember that, because you can get so self-indulgent, can't you?"
To read more about the fabulously inspirational Stella McCartney - and her most recent collections - check out her website at www.stellamccartney.com
'Unstoppable Stella': environmental activist, mother, and internationally acclaimed fashion designer.
"It sounds ridiculous, but I grew up in two-bedroom houses with six people and one toilet, which is not what you think for an international rock star situation," McCartney told Marie Claire magazine recently. "My Dad still prefers cozy places and my Mum would have preferred if we could all have slept in one room."
The McCartneys also opted for a public school education for their children, something that, even today, is practically unheard of for a family of such stature. "Going to the normal comprehensive [public school] was one of the best things that could have happened to me," said Stella. "It was healthy to see how most people in the world live. That's why I freak out that my kids aren't doing that."
Stella with her father, Sir Paul McCartney, earlier this year
Stella had always hoped to be living in the country and sending her kids to 'regular' schools by now, but what she didn't count on was the phenomenal success of her fashion empire. After graduating from design college in the mid-1990s, Stella launched her eponymous fashion label in 2001 and her clothes have been sought after by celebrities and fashion's elite ever since. As such, she's had to remain in the city to focus on her business, and had little choice but to send her children to the local private schools.
"It's one of my biggest internal struggles - the whole schooling system in London and the fact that my kids are going to a posh school," she lamented. "But it's not realistic to live in the country at this stage; I've got a business in London. If at any stage it looks like they're becoming total jerks and saying 'hello Mummy' in posh voices instead of running in and just being their awful selves, then you have to knock it on the head."
Some of Stella's celebrity friends and clientele: Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Hudson, and Kate Moss
Famously, McCartney has refused to have any fur or leather in her collections from the very beginning, and, like her parents Paul and his late wife Linda, is a passionate animal rights activist. Right now she's campaigning to redesign the hats worn by the Queen's Guard, so that they're made with faux bear fur, rather than the real fur they currently have on display.
She's also keenly aware of the fact that having such a famous family has gone a long way towards getting her name out there in the world of fashion. "I wouldn't be as stupid as to say that having the parents I've had and meeting the people I've met hasn't helped my career," she told Marie Claire. "For instance, not doing leather and fur in my industry is unheard of. I've been able to do that from day one because in the back of my mind if someone goes, 'You're fired,' I could go, 'Okay Mum, lend us a fiver.'"
She recently had an impressive showing at Paris Fashion Week, with a Spring/Summer line that contrasted neutrals with bold, fruity fabrics, in typically modern silhouettes. Her children's wear line, Stella McCartney Kids, is to be launched in less than two weeks' time (click here for a sneak preview). Said Stella of her children's wear collection, "I wanted to create a desirable, fun, wearable kids collection that was affordable. I felt like all the timeless children’s wear is reserved for the expensive brands and that did not sit well with me."
The Stella McCartney Spring 2011 collection, shown at Paris Fashion Week (click to enlarge)
Clean, modern lines are Stella's specialty
Reflecting on years past, McCartney says that she's in a good place right now - something that she finally feels comfortable admitting, despite knowing how easily fame, success, and personal happiness can provoke envy in others.
"This is a good period," she says. "You feel like everyone hates you if you've got a good life. Now I feel maybe it's allowed because I've had my share of sadness. My Mum passing away [of breast cancer, in 1998] was a big change in my happy little life and I was unhappy for a long time after that. But she always used to say 'health is wealth' and I really try to remember that, because you can get so self-indulgent, can't you?"
To read more about the fabulously inspirational Stella McCartney - and her most recent collections - check out her website at www.stellamccartney.com
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