The forward-thinking brand is breaking norms with their commitment to merchandise that protects the planet.
Stella McCartney, the U.K based luxury fashion brand which launched under the designer’s own name in 2001, surprised loyal customers and eco-conscious consumers with some new products during their Winter 2023 show at Paris Fashion Week. It was here where the public got a taste of Stella McCartney’s newest innovation in sustainable design with their classic Falabella and Frayme handbags, both reimagined with a modern twist. Each of the popular silhouettes was crafted using MIRUM®, the newest boundary-breaking material that is a vegan and plastic-free alternative to animal leather.
Keeping with the brands commitment to never use leather, feathers, fur or skins, this new medium, made from plant-based all natural materials, pushes Stella McCartney forward as an innovator in sustainable solutions to the fashion industry’s pressure on environmental resources.
MIRUM® is a product of Natural Fiber Welding (NFW), a platform based in Peoria, Illinois that embeds new technological revolutions into existing supply chains. This enables iconic brands like Stella McCartney to incorporate materials like MIRUM® into their own product circulation. Along with being a plant-based and all naturally derived substance, MIRUM® is the first material of its kind to be 100% recyclable and biodegradable.
“I have long dreamed of the day when we would see a plant-based alternative to leather that does not kill a single creature and can be easily given back to Mother Earth.”
McCartney herself, whose iconic personal image has become the face of the brand, dedicated the Winter 2023 show as a celebration between humans and animals, publicly stating that she hopes this collection will inspire a surge in activism towards related causes. “I have long dreamed of the day when we would see a plant-based alternative to leather that does not kill a single creature and can be easily given back to Mother Earth, without creating waste. There is no compromise on desirability or durability; the future of fashion has arrived.” said McCartney in a statement.
The handbags are constructed first at NFW’s facility, where the MIRUM® is molded into a luxury-quality leather alternative, before being sent to Italy where they are handcrafted into Stella McCartney quality accessories. The result is a well-loved design that is reimagined with a supple yet durable new fabric.
The textile driven handbags, dyed in a classic black and rich brandy pigment, are adorned with chunky hardware and soft pressed detailing, these new wardrobe staples combine luxurious design with powerful progress.
Images courtesy of Stella McCartney.
