Stella McCartney’s Autumn/Winter 2025

By Josie NeJame

I walked into Stella McCartney’s Autumn/Winter 2025 show at Paris Fashion Week and was instantly met with a smirk from the universe—or maybe just from Stella herself. The venue had been transformed into a fictional office called “StellaCorp,” complete with rows of copy machines, swivel chairs, and ceramic coffee mugs that read “StellaCorp.” (Confession: one of those mugs may have found its way into my bag. Some souvenirs are just too good to leave behind).

Waiting on every seat was The Stella Times, a faux newspaper and visual manifesto. The front page declared: “Save What You Love,” featuring imagery from her Summer 2025 campaign, including Eva Mendes in a baby pink coat crafted from 96% conscious materials—part of Stella’s continued commitment to regenerated textiles like PEEKABOO nylon yarn and Kelsun™, a seaweed-based textile. The tone was set: this show wasn’t just about fashion. It was about protecting the planet while celebrating self-expression. With headlines like “Laptop to Lapdance Is Here” and “Fashion Must End Its Use of Exotics,” Stella made her stance clear—ethics and elegance can, and should, coexist.

And underneath the cheeky headlines and winks at corporate culture was something deeper. Recently, Stella repurchased the minority stake from LVMH, regaining full control of her brand—and this show felt like a celebration of that return to independence. This wasn’t just a runway presentation. It was a bold reintroduction of a woman reclaiming her voice, her vision, and her values.

The collection, titled Laptop to Lapdance, was described in Stella’s own words as “a celebration of all the things that we do so well at Stella… a wardrobe that allows you to work like a boss and play hard like yourself.” The Stella woman is confident, conscious, and refuses to compartmentalize who she is. From boardroom to dance floor, she’s fully herself.

I attended the show with my friend and stylist Mary Gonsalves Kinney, who already had me in one of my favorite Stella looks—easy to wear, but effortlessly chic. Mary couldn’t help but call out a standout moment from the collection:

“I’m a huge fan of Stella McCartney and not just because of her sustainability ethos, but because she knows how to transcend the stigma of being an eco-conscious brand that lacks the ability to be luxe and on par with her luxury brand colleagues. My favorite piece was the baby pink draped mini dress that looks like it could have been part of a Yves Saint Laurent collection in the 1960s or ’70s. She has a way of understanding how to manipulate the materials she uses to give them movement and elevation. It’s retro, but it’s modern—and it was by far my favorite in the collection.”

As for me? I fell hard for the oversized new celadon and toffee-toned jackets—total relaxed power moves that make you feel like you own the room without saying a word. And the embossed bodysuit that glistened down the runway? That one had me ready to head straight out for a night of dancing. Lately, that’s meant late nights dancing at The H… but let’s be honest, I’ll dance anywhere.

The runway itself was a masterclass in contrast: oversized tailoring with soft sensuality, vegan suedes cut like couture, and outerwear made for women who lead with both confidence and conscience. My personal favorite coat? A strong-shouldered double-breasted silhouette—it didn’t just walk the runway, it owned it.

Crafted from 96% conscious and 100% cruelty-free materials, StellaWinter25 remained fiercely aligned with the brand’s roots. McCartney’s long-standing commitment to environmental responsibility—eschewing leather, fur, and exotic skins—continues to push the industry forward.

And the guest list? As fabulous as the fashion. Anna Wintour in her signature shades. Kate Moss, timeless and cool. Cameron Diaz, radiant and full of warmth. Tom Ford—ever the icon of quiet sophistication—leaned in to chat with Anna, and for a moment, I caught her laughing. I loved seeing Cameron and Kate sharing a laugh too—just two friends genuinely enjoying the moment amidst the whirlwind of fashion week. And among them all, Brigitte Macron, the First Lady of France, brought her signature grace and Parisian polish to the front row.

Stella McCartney didn’t just deliver a collection—she reminded us that fashion has the power to say something. To protect. To provoke. To play. This season, she gave us a vision of what it means to lead with values, without ever losing the joy.

Sometimes, the most powerful thing you can wear… is what you stand for.