When Stella McCartney’s first partnership with H&M went on sale in 2005, there was a stampede at the company’s Oxford Street flagship shop.
Today marks the release of her second, Stella McCartney X H&M, and while the chaos will primarily take place online, interest is still extremely high.
Although McCartney is no longer at the top of the fashion hierarchy (the brand hasn’t made money since 2017), the designer behind the Falabella, the first non-leather It-bag in history, is capitalising on the nostalgia of the 1990s with this collection.
The bags are at the top of the list, and the bucket tote is the most sought-after. It’s not cheap at £189.99, but for fashion enthusiasts, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime deal since a Falabella tiny tote costs £895.
The collaboration’s loafers (£169.99) and a massive two-tone necklace (£84.99), which will run out of stock in a matter of minutes, are particularly appealing items that include the Falabella chain.
When Savile Row-trained McCartney, 54, was dressed her girlfriends Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow in elegant big suit coats, the main attraction for older admirers was the tailoring they couldn’t afford.
The white stilettos (£189.99) are identical to a pair McCartney wore while mingling with King Charles during London Fashion Week in February, and the crisp blazer (£229.99) resembles the ones she wears herself (her suits typically cost around £3,000).
Stella McCartney and Liv Tyler during the Met’s 1999 “Rock Style” Gala
Interest in the legendary fashion designer’s clothing has increased since H&M revealed McCartney’s upcoming Nineties nostalgia collection at their stores.
On Thursday, May 7, the H&M collection will debut (pictured: A model wearing items from the collection).
A one-shoulder cape-sleeved dress (£189.99) that resembles the “going away” dress McCartney created for the Duchess of Sussex’s wedding day in 2018 is sure to win over millennials with nice arms.
The re-issued edition (£37.99) may appeal to those who were in nappies when McCartney attended the 1999 Met Gala with actress Liv Tyler, the daughter of Aerosmith singer Steven, both of whom were wearing vests embroidered with the words “Rock Royalty.”
Additionally, the white bodysuit with “Stella” written in dazzling red cursive (£27.99) is sure to be a favourite with 20-somethings on the festival circuit.
For those who weren’t present during the initial Stella craze, there’s enough here, in part because McCartney has been at the forefront of sustainability, which is crucial to the increasing number of ecologically conscious consumers.
In her new position as the King’s Ambassador for the Sustainable Markets Initiative, she visited New York last week.
Prices are higher than other prior H&M partnerships since sustainable fashion is more expensive to produce.
However, the high-street business is aware that McCartney appeals to women of all ages, including those of her own generation, those of her daughters’ generation (Bailey, 19, and Reiley, 15), and those who have followed her Beatle father Paul’s music over the years.
For this reason, H&M needs to prepare for Stella’s chaos once more.
