Stella McCartney gathered all of fashion’s movers and shakers last night for a night of sustainability. The designer launched a capsule collection of evening gowns made entirely of recycled or certified sustainable sources as part of the Green Carpet Challenge (GCC).
“The event last night was a clear cross road for global fashion” said Livia Firth, the creator of GCC. “The beautiful GCC clothes by Stella showcased in a magical recreated world all made with upcycled materials – truly the perfect marriage of ethics and aesthetics and a celebration of this.”
McCartney was the first designer to put together an entire 13 look collection for the challenge that usually enlists a number of designers for the task. Last year, Victoria Beckham and four other designers made one look each that were modeled by Emma Watson. This year, however, vegan McCartney took the entire project in her own hands.
“I keep thinking, Wow—that’s all eco. It still surprises me. It’s not a token garment or two. It’s a full collection,” said McCartney at the event. “I am proud to be expanding the boundaries of what sustainability can look and feel like. Do I sound like I am preaching?”
The looks used left over fabric recycled from McCartney’s own fashion house, Stella McCartney. Usually the left over fabric is burned to guarantee exclusivity of fashion brands. The heels in the shoes were made of sustainable wood and the color on the fabrics was achieved through water based inks.
The Green Carpet Challenge event took place at the iconic Royal Institution of Great Britain and even the party’s decor was sustainable. Each of the rooms were dressed with repurposed props from movies like the shrubbery from ‘Les Miserables.’
Among the guests were fashion darlings Rita Ora, Daisy Lowe and vegetarian star Ellie Goulding in addition, of course, to proud dad and eco-warrior Paul McCartney.
“It’s groundbreaking,” he said. “It’s unbelievable. She’s stuck to her guns. Stella has always shown courage, and tonight is a culmination of that, and we should celebrate.”
Select styles from Stella McCartney’s eco capsule collection will be available exclusively at Stella McCartney stores and on Net-a-porter starting in November.