October 1, 2025 |
“Come Together for humanity, animals and Mother Earth,” read the opening line of Stella McCartney’s SS26 show notes. It’s a unifying notion, calling together the designer’s heritage in music and activism, but also a clear direction for the new collection and her brand at large.
Presented at Centre Pompidou, the show opened with a poignant narration by Oscar award-winning actor Helen Mirren who read out the lyrics to The Beatles‘ Come Together as though it were a manifesto for the future; and in a lot of ways, it was. A manifesto to coexist, the collection centred around, as it always does, sustainability. Materials were 98 per cent conscious and 100 per cent cruelty free, shaped into utilitarian cargo minis with airy crinoline hems and Savile Row tailoring – double-breasted jackets cut at the sides, wide-leg trousers and sporty ‘80s-inspired shirting layered with bombers and knits. Upcycled denim waistbands collaged into jeans, bags and shoes grounded the collection, while sequins shimmered across shirting and Falabella clutches.
The deconstructed denim that danced down the catwalk was a particular standout, not just for its slouchy, layered intrigue, but because it was made using Pure.Tech, the first-ever programmable material that absorbs and neutralises airborne pollutants, converting them into harmless compounds and quite literally cleaning the air with every step.
The closing looks – a triptych of faux feather looks, a sand-hued micro-mini dress, a fuchsia bodysuit and a lavender maxi dress worn by model-of-the-moment Alex Consani – served up another sustainability first. Those faux feathers were actually Fevvers, a plant-based alternative to the avian material.
McCartney’s manifesto for fashion is simple yet powerful: innovate, regenerate and reimagine luxury for tomorrow. And with this collection, she makes it clear the future can be worn – beautifully.
Photography courtesy of Stella McCartney.
