Sustainable fashion isn't simply about the make-up and manufacturing of a product, it's a 360-degree approach towards greater ecological integrity and social justice. Since the launch of her first collection in 2001, Stella McCartney has been consciously creating luxury fashion — including her range of planet-kind kidswear — that shines a light on the climate conversation and endorses new and innvoative ways of regenerating materials.
We were honoured to speak with the esteemed fashion designer to discuss, first hand, how she strives towards a brighter future for the next generation and, as an advocate on sustainable practices in fashion, what the future holds for the industry.
23 Sep 2024
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Hi, Stella. Thanks for joining us! You’re known as the leading designer in the sustainable fashion movement. What inspired you to begin this challenge of being as environmentally conscious as possible?
"Hi, Childrensalon! Thanks for having me. My parents have been a big inspiration to me on every level; their way of life inspired me. They always taught us to be true and to stand up for the things we believe in. It’s been engrained in me to have a respect for fellow creatures and to be mindful of how one approaches life, so it was a no-brainer for me to take that into the way I conduct myself in business."
Do you find it difficult to create such fun designs each season while considering the environmental impact?
"We aren’t perfect. And we recognise that, like all businesses, we are part of the problem, but we are pushing boundaries every day to find solutions that do exist in an industry desperately in need of change. Innovation is at the core of everything we do at Stella McCartney and something we continue to focus on to ensure we are creating products that are kind to our planet. I’m very proud to say that our latest collection is one of our most sustainable to date with over 95% responsibly sourced materials, including organic cotton, sustainably sourced viscose and recycled polyester and nylon. This season I wanted to celebrate those strong-hearted kids who care about the future of our planet, and is reflected in the materials used and the printed slogans and motifs."
Similarly, what challenges do you face when trying to balance costs vs ensuring all your materials are safe for the planet?
"To create a product that ticks all the boxes costs money. That’s another conversation that needs to be had. There are no guidelines; there’s no real policy set in place for the fashion industry and thus there is a cost that is paid by someone like me who wants to ensure the materials I use are kind to the planet. The government doesn’t incentivise me, for example I can be taxed 30 percent more just bringing a non-leather good into the Untied States — I’m actually punished for trying to conduct myself better in the business of fashion, however I’m not going to go against my beliefs and ethics to save money."
Where does your main inspiration come from for your kids' designs?
"I find inspiration all around me, but some of my biggest memories were as a four- or five-year-old, sitting in my parents' wardrobe, and what was fascinating was I realised my mum and dad shared it. There was this absolute androgyny. It was this period of glam rock; half the things I assumed were Mum’s, Dad was actually wearing as well. They would swap. I’ve since worn a flowery shirt out of the archive and been like, ‘Oh! Look at this blouse of my mum’s, it’s so cool!’ And then we’d find a photo of my dad wearing it. It’s so modern; this was years ago, but today it’s a cutting-edge conversation to have. So I guess this upbringing and being around clothes from a very young age was a huge influence on me and has heavily inspired how I work and are a definite inspiration to my collections today."
To shop our full range of sustainable and conscious kidswear, discover our Earth Friendly filters. And to explore the latest Stella McCartney Kids collection, follow the link below.
