Paris Fashion Week: Stella McCartney puts on runway to remind us just how good faking it can be

The designer, an animal rights activist, sought to celebrate 'total fur free fur'
Clearly in a nostalgic mood, this show was McCartney returning to her roots
Karen Dacre9 March 2015

Stella McCartney reminded the world that she famous for faking it today. Staging her biannual fashion show at Paris Fashion Week, the designer and animal rights activist unveiled a collection within which she sought to celebrate 'total fur free fur'.

Included to further her crusade to rid the luxury fashion world from the genuine sables it has long held dear, the Londoner presented a series of full-length fake fur coats in cream and black. Yeti-like in silhouette, the coats-crafted from long-haired wool and intricate geometric patches - were unveiled alongside hats fashioned from the same textile.

The faux ensembles served as just one of the highlights in a show in which McCartney set out to explore her greatest hits. This was no lesson in avant garde fashion design but a carefully planned, commercially savvy collection with which the designer set to delight the Stella McCartney customer. Clearly in a nostalgic mood, it was McCartney returning to her roots.

Stella McCartney at Paris Fashion Week

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Tailoring played a leading role. Masculinely-cut asymmetric jackets which dipped at the back were cinched with belts to highlight the waistline while kick-flare trousers with oversized turn-ups came in hues of black, sludge green and navy. There was a softness at work within this collection too. Keen to expand on her reputation as the go-to label for outerwear McCartney unveiled sculptural winter coats in tactile Patagonian wool.

A collection of rib-knit dresses, cut to expose the shoulder, lent a hit of sensuality to the clothes on offer. These were clothes with which McCartney sought to fuse comfort with her own idea of sex appeal.

For evening, McCartney returned to familiar ground once again with a series of all-black ensembles which provided the show with its finale. Beautifully cut trousers with a gentle ruffle detail came with neatly fitted corset tops which fell off the shoulder while moulded pearl chockers and stud earrings served as accessories. One particular jumpsuit, strapless and teamed with block heeled court shoes, was among the most elegant pieces on the catwalk today.

McCartney, who's business is backed by luxury conglomerate PPR, has a net worth in excess of $75 million dollars. A designer who continues to kick sand in the face of her critics who doubted her talent during her early days as a designer, she masterminds four womenswear collections annually as well as childrenswear, lingerie and a successful collaboration with sports brand adidas.

She was supported today by her father Paul who attend the show in Paris alongside his wife Nancy Shevell and McCartney's husband Alasdhair Willis.

They were joined on the front-row by Cara Delevingne who has been notably absent from the catwalk this week. Delevingne, who sported a pair of black harem pants from McCartney's latest offering today, was joined by her sister Poppy who wore a printed muscle-back blouse form McCartney's current collection.

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