Stella McCartney highlights marine life, animal rights at Paris fashion week

McCartney expressed pride in not featuring wool on the runway this season, noting that the issue of cruelty in wool production has become more prominent. She has been developing alternatives, including Brewed Protein, a fermented material created in collaboration with Japanese biotech firm Spiber, which has been used in her collections for about a year.

While acknowledging that responsibly sourced wool can be humane, McCartney emphasized that much of current wool production is deeply cruel and requires rigorous monitoring. She stated that her brand polices its supply chain meticulously at its own cost. "If I use wool, I can show you exactly where it's coming from, and I'm proud of that. But I'm alone in that, and I shouldn't be," she remarked.

The show's theme centered on "sea life, not sea food," with designs inspired by marine creatures and ocean conservation. McCartney drew a parallel between watching nature documentaries and then ordering seafood, calling the contrast "grotesque." She noted that for every fish eaten, countless others are thrown back dead, stating, "We are at war with the oceans, at war with the creatures that live in there."

The invitation to the show, held at the British embassy in Paris, included a video message from oceanographer Sylvia Earle. Front row guests included Jennifer Lopez, who wore a skirt suit with faux-fur trim, and Juliette Binoche.