Renowned fashion designer Stella McCartney has made her latest ready-to-wear collection available this week, which is inspired by her lifelong love for horses and riding. It also draws on the love between mothers, daughters, sisters, nature, humans and animals.
The winter 2023 collection is crafted from 92% responsible materials, making it the brand’s most eco-conscious winter collection to date. It also features equine photography by Stella’s mother, Linda McCartney, as well as her sister, Mary, emphasising how integral horses have been to the whole McCartney family.
The Appaloosa breed features heavily across the collection, which her mother bred, rode and photographed during Stella’s childhood, giving inspiration to coats, jumpers, bags and shoes. Other references to the equestrian world come in the form of horse motifs and bridle-like features.
The collection includes the first-ever luxury handbags (including the Falabella Tiny Tote Bag) made with Mirium, which is a plant-based, plastic-free and circular alternative to animal leather. The classic S-Wave and Frayme handbags from this collection have also been rendered in crocodile-effect AppleSkin, which is made using apple waste from the food industry.
The collection was presented during Paris Fashion Week at the historic Manège de l’École Militaire, France’s oldest riding school. Models catwalked alongside ponies provided by the famous liberty horseman Jean-Francois Pignon.
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Jean-Francois also provided equine models for the Horse Power campaign to advertise the collection, of which Kendall Jenner is the face.
“I know this season’s Stella girl had to love horses as much as I do,” said the designer. “Kendall has been riding since she was a kid, just like me, and has her own ranch. You can see how at ease she is around these sensitive creatures.”
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The same 1985 Linda McCartney image of “Lucky Spot” (who was bought for Linda by her husband Beatles legend Sir Paul McCartney) is used on the “Lucky Spot In Daisy Field” T-Shirt (RRP £275).
The Horse Chain Embroidery Cropped Jumper (RRP £990), which has extra-long sleeves to play on proportions, features a chainmail horse embroidery instead.
The Horse Chain Embroidery Cropped Jumper
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Shoes in the collection go one step further with their connection to the equine world. The Ryder Shaggy Stillettos, which are available in red and a chestnut “ginger”, feature moulded toe shapes similar to hooves.
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Georgia is Horse & Hound’s deputy website editor and equestrian products expert. She curates content across the website with a particular focus on upcoming equestrian events horse care and buying advice. She also manages all the ecommerce opportunities that allow us to give you easy access to the best products at the lowest prices via our buying guides. Georgia has first-hand knowledge of all the equestrian brands and their ever-evolving product lines, having been working with them closely since she started in equestrian media in 2015.
