Stella McCartney, the middle daughter of musician Paul McCartney, turns 55 on Sunday, September 13. Widely regarded as the best-known of the former Beatle's children, she built a career in fashion that led her to found her own luxury label, which carries her name, in 2001.
Like her older sister, photographer Mary McCartney, she is an outspoken advocate for animal rights and does not use fur or leather in her collections. She is known for championing sustainable and vegan fashion throughout her career.
Early life and training
Stella McCartney was born in London in 1971, the daughter of Linda McCartney, who died in 1998. She was raised between the city and the English countryside. She graduated from Central Saint Martins, the London art and design school known for producing some of fashion's most influential names, in 1995. She quickly became known for impeccable tailoring, a bold aesthetic and a masculine energy applied to womenswear.
Two years later, in 1997, she was named creative director of Chloé, the Paris fashion house, where she led the brand to critical and commercial success.
Launching her own label
In 2001, Stella McCartney launched her own luxury label and presented her first collection in Paris that October. A vegetarian since birth, she has never used leather, feathers, fur or animal hide in any of her designs, a stance that was considered revolutionary at the time and remains central to her brand today.
Among the label's standout products is the Falabella bag, introduced in 2009 and recognisable for its hand-braided cotton detailing and diamond-cut chain. According to the brand's official website, it remains one of the label's best-selling items.
Olympic uniforms and royal connections
Adidas named Stella McCartney creative director for Team Great Britain at the 2012 London Summer Olympics, marking the first time in Olympic history that a renowned designer created a country's uniforms across every event at the Games. In 2016, she presented her first full beachwear collection and was again invited to serve as creative director for Team Great Britain, this time for the Rio Olympics.
Among her other career highlights, McCartney designed the reception dress worn by Meghan Markle for her wedding to Prince Harry.
In 2023, she was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) by King Charles III in recognition of her services to fashion and sustainability. In November 2022, her label opened its first store in Brazil, inside a shopping centre in Sao Paulo.
Married for more than 20 years, mother of four
Stella McCartney has been married to Alasdhair Willis since 2003. The couple have four children: sons Miller and Beckett, and daughters Bailey and Reiley.
