Her famous father sang about wanting to change the world, and Stella McCartney is doing just that in her own stylish way. Dubbed “the cool conscience of the fashion industry” by Vanity Fair, McCartney—a lifelong vegetarian and avid horseback rider who eschews the use of animal-derived materials—successfully manages to create clothing and accessories that are both ethical and elegant. Though admittedly far from perfect in her planet-saving efforts, the 41-year-old estimates that up to 30 percent of each collection contains some sort of sustainable element, including a leather-like plant derivative in her shoes and boots.
Further cementing her eco credentials, this year McCartney, who also has a line for Adidas, became the first designer to team up with the Natural Resources Defense Council on its Clean by Design initiative to reduce the industry’s environmental footprint. More than ever before, it seems like green is the new black.
