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Fashion designer Stella McCartney has teamed up with a company that makes fabric out of ocean rubbish to create a luxury line of shoes, bags and outerwear.
This is not the first time McCartney has worked with Parley for the Oceans, the organization that makes Ocean Fabric from discarded sea debris. The Ocean Fabric will replace the woven and recycled polyesters in her designs. McCartney has previously created a pair of trainers from the fabric for her diffusion line for sports giant Adidas.
This time however, the designs will go beyond sporting apparel. How will this resonate with her high-luxe clientele – can recycled rubbish be seen as as luxury?
She told The New York Times:“If they don’t notice it and if they feel that living on this planet longer is a luxury, then yes, to me that’s my idea of luxury.”
Making peace
As a longterm vegetarian, McCartney has never used animal skins in her designs, all her ‘leathers’ are both manmade and environmentally sound.
While this may not chime with the traditional belief that leather equals luxury, she has managed to create clothing and accessories that are extremely popular and command high prices.
Cyrill Gutsch, founder of Parley for the Oceans, said: “It’s time to make peace between mankind and the sea. No social group is suited better for this challenge than the creative class.
“Stella McCartney is not only a fantastic designer; she is a pioneer of creative activism. Her work has changed the industry.”
He hopes McCartney’s use of the fabric will lead to his longterm goal of seeing Ocean Fabric appear more frequently on the catwalk of celebrated designers.
