Stella, -ella, -ella

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We all love Stella, -ella, -ella, -ay, -ay, -ay…

Okay. So I kind of, sort of, really despise that song after hearing it replay on the radio an infinite amount of times. Yet for all intensive purposes to create a somewhat catchy and/or witty post title, I have decided upon this. End of discussion!

We all love Stella McCartney; it’s safe to assume so. She is one of my favorite designers of all time, each one of her collections epitomizing (I’m beginning to realize that I use this word too often for my own good) femininity; every piece is classic, sophisticated, sweet, and minimalistic – which is, of course, why I’m in love. Those little dresses are always amazing and cause immediate reactions of pining and drooling simultaneously. The woman should attach some sort of warning label before presenting her RTW shows.

For me it all began with her Spring/Summer 2007 RTW show, where I fell in love with the cuts and color palette. It was a beautiful arrangement of colors; whites, neutrals, pops of blue & green, and black – all the most classic colors that should be found in every woman’s wardrobe. Stella simply makes a woman love being a woman; like, say, waking up and wearing an oversized button down for a casual walk down the beach; doll up in the tiniest of bikinis and lay out to sunbathe; or, dress up in fabulously simplistic dresses (oh that off the shoulder LBD is drool-worthy!). A woman can be all this and more all the while retaining her true beauty. The makeup, au naturel and slightly bronzed, and paired with a side swept chignon, was gorgeous and healthy. Oh, and those nude sandals – I want a pair!

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And then Fall/Winter 2008 turned from feminine and sweet into a dark, mysterious girl with much sex appeal, in a classy way of course. Yet another beautiful color palette: gray and black, browns and green – as classic as it gets, non?  The materials were full of dimension and texture, ranging from sheer chiffons and metallics, velvet and faux leather, to boiled and embroidered wool. The pieces of her collection were expansive as well, starting with incognito capes and boots to the little cocktail dresses Ms. McCartney is known too well for. This time, instead of plain or simple geometric print, Stella chose Victorian floral patterns that served as the basis of her collection – which all turned out beautifully, some appearing like barely-there print, some like bolder brocade. The silhouettes were a bit more voluminous than usual; Spring 2007 was about the sleeves; this fall it was about emphasizing the hips, with swing coats and bell shaped clothing. My particular favorite? The crocheted-appearing, embroidered wool dresses were so incredibly sexy – what I would give to own the black one!

stella-mccartney-fall-08-1

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Which finally brings us to Spring/Summer 2009. Yet another similar color palette of gorgeous colors: nudes, silver, bits of teal, and of course, black & white. The way Stella works with fabric & manipulates it to drape a woman’s body so beautifully is quite amazing. This collection was a bit more “on-trend”, so to speak (well, write); embracing blazers, bandage-like dresses, and sheer fabrics. It actually reminds me a bit of Alexander Wang’s Spring 2009 collection, sans the edgy-cropped-top-bright-colors type thing. The see-through dresses and tailored blazers were quite similar!

stella-mccartney-spring-2009-1

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xoxo,

La C.

Your turn. Thoughts?

  14. molly says

    Stella simply makes a woman love being a woman- exactly!
    its all down to the simple details- shes the only designer i’ve seen to make even masculine tailoring look… feminine.
    lovely post 🙂
    mxx

    Reply

  16. MizzJ says

    All gorgeous picks, it’s left me simply speechless! I’ve always admired her designs, but this compilation just shows what an amazing designer she is. If only I were rich!!

    Reply

  20. i.d. says

    Stella McCartney is one of my favorite designers too. She has a deep understanding of what modern women want and a talent for beautifully finished garments. I also really love that she carved out her own niche and made a name for herself separate to that of her parents’. Excellent post! xx

    Reply

  21. Fashion CHALET says

    Thank you, LaC! :]

    PS: You really inspired me to make more stories. I really enjoyed doing it. Maybe if more free time opens up, I can give it a go every now and again? xx

    Reply

  23. kristine says

    i love your images!! & as for your hundredth post: i love your petite novella! i say you copyright that idea & publish a bunch & buy yourself a couple of stella dresses & chanel bags 🙂

    <3

    Reply

  25. jadore-fashion says

    For a sec, thought you were talking about me because my name is Stella too lol, love Stella McCartney, just love the nude color and the blazer–so love blazers!!
    xoxo
    stella 🙂

    Reply

  26. mary says

    i absolutely looooove all the nude that is happening in spring’s color palate. Nude is so amazingly skin flattering…..however it is time for me to get into a spray tanning regimen.

    Reply

  30. rita says

    I LOVE the spring 2007 sandals. they make the model’s feet look beautiful.
    and that see through dress… it’s fierce.
    oh and your writing is just perfect. Yeah my english sucks (i’m portuguese) but I love reading your articles, mainly because of the images you choose and the way you write!
    xxxxx
    rita

    Reply

  35. Eelie says

    You’re absolutely right, they are minimalistic and thats not always a bad thing. She has some wonderful pieces in her collection. I expecially adore her Winter 08 collection.

    Reply

  36. Make Do Style says

    Actually I’ve always admired her tailoring skills and until this post I’d never really bothered about her but I think you’ve converted me with her design continuity and a distinct view – interesting!

    Reply

  37. LoveMore says

    oh thanks so much love..means a lot to hear such wonderful comments saying congrats! how lucky am i!?
    i love Stella M too! everything is so finished and perfect….i adore it! great post..so much to read and look at. loving it.
    xxxx LM

    Reply

  38. Nil says

    Yeah Stella is an amazing designer that no one can can resist her creations. Simple, chic and feminine. You’ve made a great post about her

    Reply

  47. Nina says

    i love how she threw black into her pastel palette in spr/sum 09. but my absolute fave of hers will be the studded mini dresses back in ’07.

    btw, i tagged you. 😉

    Reply

  48. The Minx says

    I’ve never been the biggest stella fan, but I’ve always admired her commitment to making animal-friendly high fashion. Now that I’m looking at this post, however, the s/s 09 collection is pretty off the chain…

    Reply

  61. ondressingup says

    Fantastic overview of Stella’s stellar career, La C. What I personally love about Stella is her ability to take man-tailoring and twist it to make feminine shapes. So effortless and cool.

    Reply

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