Stella McCartney, an English designer known for advocating more responsible fashion. Samuel Kirzenbaum
A pioneer of ethical fashion, originally a vegetarian, the famous British designer was the guest of honor at Veuve Clicquot’s Bold Woman Award in Paris in late November.
His name is there, of course. And this great blue eye, which he often has fun with things and especially fashion, reminds us how important it is to have fun when creating too. When he was one of the first to offer vegetable leather bags, faux fur and recycled fabric suits ten years ago, these items were not yet at the core of the industry, now realizing the impact of its production. Now associated with the LVMH group, Stella McCartney is a special advisor on sustainable development to the group’s executive committee. And the magazine The time makes him stand out among the 100 people who are changing the world from the inside out. A hacker profession? The word does not displease him who sums up his mantra like this. “ Jim’s fear. ” (“Fear with fear”).
Madame Figaro. – Why did you want to start a business? You could have remained an artistic director like when you started at Chloé in 1987…
Stella McCartney. – It’s true, and it would be a lot easier for me in the end. But I didn’t see any brand to work for that matched the values that I stand for, that I believe in so strongly, and so I said to myself, you will have to do it yourself. Go to battle. That was more than twenty years ago, everything has changed… But creating a brand that uses no leather, no fur, no PVC requires research, time, money. It takes a lot of passion to convince board members. the men at the table at the time did not necessarily share this vision…
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How did you make yourself heard?
It is an approach, an attitude based on 100% conviction. There is nothing you can do but take risks. Because every step of the process is a challenge. when we create tweed, we look for completely cruelty-free wool. (cruelty free), which is almost impossible, but that’s the way we work. We have to constantly prove that our demands do not change anything in the quality of the materials, the timelessness of the models, and also prove that there is a business model. Here’s how to change the field.
You are announcing an innovative partnership with the Veuve Clicquot brand…
I have always worked around innovation. When I joined LVMH, I asked Mr. Arnaud. “How can we imagine synergy with your houses?” This is how we worked with Veuve Clicquot to transform their grape residues into new leather available in a range of bags and shoes.
How do you see the next ten years?
Real change will only come if more and more of us work as I do, which is why half of my job consists of working with politicians and governments to try and change laws. More than a billion animals are killed each year for the fashion industry, which also destroys large areas of tropical forests. I don’t know if we will see the change. Man is the cruelest and craziest of animals. Who knows what he is capable of?
My children are my priority, but I have allowed myself to work and build balance
Stella McCartney
Women are often afraid of ruining their family life if they undertake…
Family is the most important. My children are my priority, but I have allowed myself to work and balance. For me, that means being with them morning and night. I know I am very privileged. how many women can’t do that? It is necessary to rewrite the script, the rules, because they are not fair. 80% of Stella McCartney employees are women, often mothers. One of my greatest prides is having built a safe place for them in the industry.
Source: Le Figaro
