Stella McCartney luxury fashion

Stella McCartney is a pioneering luxury fashion house founded in 2001 by British designer Stella McCartney. The brand is globally recognized for its commitment to ethical fashion and sustainability, infamously rejecting the use of leather, fur, feathers, and animal-derived glues in all its collections. Originally launched as a 50/50 joint venture with the Gucci Group (now known as Kering), the brand has undergone significant ownership shifts over its history.

After 17 years under the Kering umbrella, Stella McCartney bought back the conglomerate's 50% stake in 2018 to gain full control of her name. In 2019, she entered into a strategic partnership with LVMH, selling a 49% minority stake while remaining the majority owner. However, in January 2025, it was announced that McCartney would once again buy back LVMH's stake to operate as a fully independent fashion house. Moving into 2026, the brand remains under the ultimate ownership and creative direction of its founder, Stella McCartney, though she continues to serve as a high-level sustainability advisor for LVMH.

Manufacturing for the brand is concentrated heavily in Italy, particularly for its footwear (the iconic Elyse platforms and Falabella bags) and high-end tailoring, utilizing small-scale specialist factories. The brand also produces knitwear and certain apparel lines in countries including Romania, Portugal, and Hungary to maintain its rigorous environmental and labor standards.