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Fashion People 'Heartless': Stella McCartney

Designer wonders why the rest of the industry is still using fur and leather

By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 5, 2009 10:59 AM CDT
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(Newser) – One of fashion’s most famous vegetarians, Stella McCartney talks—a little bit about her rise from “nervous” young designer to successful businesswoman, but mostly about the fashion industry’s lack of eco-consciousness—to the Guardian on the heels of her Paris show. “I think people in fashion are pretty heartless,” she tells Jess Cartner-Morley. “I find it astounding, because fashion is supposed to be about change—I mean, we're supposed to be at the cutting edge!”

“I’m not saying I’m perfect,” says McCartney, who champions fabric alternatives to leather and fur. “I try really hard, but if now and again I have to dye a bag using chemicals that are not as low in environmental impact as I'd like, in order to get a brighter color, then I will do that.” And bright colors it was in Paris, notes Hilary Alexander in the Telegraph. McCartney moved "into The Tropics" with a "fireworks parade" of pinks, yellows, and blues.

British fashion designer Stella McCartney reacts after the presentation of her Ready to Wear Spring Summer 2010 fashion collection, Monday Oct. 5, 2009 in Paris.
British fashion designer Stella McCartney reacts after the presentation of her Ready to Wear Spring Summer 2010 fashion collection, Monday Oct. 5, 2009 in Paris.   (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
Paul McCartney, center, poses for photographs with his daughters Mary, left, and Stella to launch a new food campaign entitled 'Meat Free Monday' in London, June 15, 2009.
Paul McCartney, center, poses for photographs with his daughters Mary, left, and Stella to launch a new food campaign entitled 'Meat Free Monday' in London, June 15, 2009.   (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
British fashion designer Stella McCartney arrives for a dinner in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, April 22, 2009.
British fashion designer Stella McCartney arrives for a dinner in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, April 22, 2009.   (AP Photo/Alberto Pellaschiar)
British fashion designer Stella McCartney reacts after the presentation of her Ready to Wear Spring Summer 2010 fashion collection, Monday Oct. 5, 2009 in Paris .
British fashion designer Stella McCartney reacts after the presentation of her Ready to Wear Spring Summer 2010 fashion collection, Monday Oct. 5, 2009 in Paris .   (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
A model displays a creation by British fashion designer Stella McCartney for her Ready to Wear Spring Summer 2010 fashion collection, presented Monday Oct. 5, 2009 in Paris .
A model displays a creation by British fashion designer Stella McCartney for her Ready to Wear Spring Summer 2010 fashion collection, presented Monday Oct. 5, 2009 in Paris .   (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
A model displays a creation by British fashion designer Stella McCartney for her Ready to Wear Spring Summer 2010 fashion collection, presented Monday Oct. 5, 2009 in Paris .
A model displays a creation by British fashion designer Stella McCartney for her Ready to Wear Spring Summer 2010 fashion collection, presented Monday Oct. 5, 2009 in Paris .   (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
A model displays a creation by British fashion designer Stella McCartney for her Ready to Wear Spring Summer 2010 fashion collection, presented Monday Oct. 5, 2009 in Paris .
A model displays a creation by British fashion designer Stella McCartney for her Ready to Wear Spring Summer 2010 fashion collection, presented Monday Oct. 5, 2009 in Paris .   (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
A model displays a creation by British fashion designer Stella McCartney for her Ready to Wear Spring Summer 2010 fashion collection, presented Monday Oct. 5, 2009 in Paris .
A model displays a creation by British fashion designer Stella McCartney for her Ready to Wear Spring Summer 2010 fashion collection, presented Monday Oct. 5, 2009 in Paris .   (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
A model displays a creation by British fashion designer Stella McCartney for her Ready to Wear Spring Summer 2010 fashion collection, presented Monday Oct. 5, 2009 in Paris .
A model displays a creation by British fashion designer Stella McCartney for her Ready to Wear Spring Summer 2010 fashion collection, presented Monday Oct. 5, 2009 in Paris .   (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
A model displays a creation by British fashion designer Stella McCartney for her Ready to Wear Spring Summer 2010 fashion collection, presented Monday Oct. 5, 2009 in Paris .
A model displays a creation by British fashion designer Stella McCartney for her Ready to Wear Spring Summer 2010 fashion collection, presented Monday Oct. 5, 2009 in Paris .   (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
A model displays a creation by British fashion designer Stella McCartney for her Ready to Wear Spring Summer 2010 fashion collection, presented Monday Oct. 5, 2009 in Paris .
A model displays a creation by British fashion designer Stella McCartney for her Ready to Wear Spring Summer 2010 fashion collection, presented Monday Oct. 5, 2009 in Paris .   (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
Models display a creations by British fashion designer Stella McCartney for her Ready to Wear Spring Summer 2010 fashion collection, presented Monday, Oct. 5, 2009 in Paris .
Models display a creations by British fashion designer Stella McCartney for her Ready to Wear Spring Summer 2010 fashion collection, presented Monday, Oct. 5, 2009 in Paris .   (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
A model displays a creation by British fashion designer Stella McCartney for her Ready to Wear Spring Summer 2010 fashion collection, presented Monday Oct. 5, 2009 in Paris .
A model displays a creation by British fashion designer Stella McCartney for her Ready to Wear Spring Summer 2010 fashion collection, presented Monday Oct. 5, 2009 in Paris .   (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
A model displays a creation by British fashion designer Stella McCartney for her Ready to Wear Spring Summer 2010 fashion collection, presented Monday Oct. 5, 2009 in Paris .
A model displays a creation by British fashion designer Stella McCartney for her Ready to Wear Spring Summer 2010 fashion collection, presented Monday Oct. 5, 2009 in Paris .   (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
Gwyneth Paltrow, right, and British musician Paul McCartney attend the presentation of daughter Stella McCartney's Ready to Wear Spring Summer 2010 fashion collection, in Paris, Monday, Oct. 5, 2009.
Gwyneth Paltrow, right, and British musician Paul McCartney attend the presentation of daughter Stella McCartney's Ready to Wear Spring Summer 2010 fashion collection, in Paris, Monday, Oct. 5, 2009.   (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
Stella McCartney (C) poses with models after her Pret a Porter show as part of the Paris Womenswear Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2010 at Palais De Tokyo on October 5, 2009 in Paris, France.
Stella McCartney (C) poses with models after her Pret a Porter show as part of the Paris Womenswear Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2010 at Palais De Tokyo on October 5, 2009 in Paris, France.   (Getty Images)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
Silverbow7
Oct 5, 2009 7:09 AM CDT
I wish her luck. Designing clothes is hard work. Attacking others when you are doing the same thing? Typical.

 
Paul McCartney • fashion • fur • vegetarianism • leather • Fashion Week • fashion designer • fashion industry • Jay-ZTV • designer fashion • Stella McCartney

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