Get your shopping lists ready and set your alarms! Twenty years after H&M and Stella McCartney first joined forces and caused a fashion frenzy, the iconic duo is back. The new collection, which will be released on May 7th, is the perfect mix of Stella’s greatest archival hits and modern, relentlessly chic classics. From bold prints to elegant coats – this isn’t just a garment, it’s a piece of history that you simply have to own.
Remember 2005? You were probably wearing ultra-low-waisted pants, wearing a lot of lip gloss, and typing on flip phones. Well, it was also a groundbreaking year when H&M launched its second ever designer collaboration – and it was with none other than the pioneer of modern, sustainable fashion, Stella McCartneyFast forward to the present: we're celebrating 25 years of Stella's own fashion house and more than two decades since that first iconic partnership.
The new collection, which hits shelves (and online shopping carts, where there will undoubtedly be a virtual gladiatorial battle) in early May, celebrates this rich heritage. The clothes embody Stella’s pioneering vision and her signature fearless rule-breaking. “I see this collection as a journey through my fashion history,” says McCartney. “It’s a real mix of current classics and some of my old favorites… It’s playful, strong, sparkly, joyful and sophisticated.” And we’ve already reserved a front row seat to this journey!
What will we wear? (Spoiler: Absolutely everything)
Forget boredom, this collection combines everything we love about modern fashion with nostalgic touches that will take you back to a time when everything was a little more daring and fun. Get ready for oversized shirts that will make you look like you just rolled out of bed with a French actor, dramatic trench coats that will flap behind you with every step, and sharply tailored jackets that would scare Miranda Priestly.
But Stella wouldn't be Stella without a touch of irony and that real British fun. Archive fans will go crazy for the fishnet dresses with bold cherry prints and the white mini top adorned with studs that say 'Rock Royalty'. Because, let's be honest, we're all a bit of royalty, even when we're just going to the bakery for a croissant on Sunday mornings.
Of course, we can't forget the iconic Falabella chain - this detail, adored by the fashion world, adorns the collars of ribbed knit dresses and tops. And for those special evenings (or just a dramatic entrance to a boring office meeting), there's a long white dress with cape sleeves that merge with the hem, creating the illusion of an endless circle of fabric. Pure poetry in motion, accessorized with the perfect dose of sparkly party pieces and dark denim.
Fashion accessories that will make you forget about saving
Accessories are the finishing touch that separates an average look from one that deserves a magazine cover. And the exclusive collection doesn't disappoint. It offers six handbag styles, with something for every occasion (and every personality).
From small shoulder bags with a visible logo (where your favorite red lipstick and bank card go) to huge 'tote' bags, big enough for all your secrets, emotional baggage and laptop. Our personal favorite and absolute *must-have* of the season? A timeless bag in a rich chocolate shade with a chain strap. The chain detail continues in the exceptional jewelry - massive necklaces and earrings made of recycled metal in mixed tones - and in the leather loafers, which will give your feet that unmistakable "it girl" factor.
Sustainability is not just an empty PR word
If anyone knows how to make fashion that's kind to the planet and looks like a million bucks on you, it's Stella McCartney. The entire collection is the definition of her unwavering commitment to sustainability and ethical production.
A high content of recycled materials, the best organic cotton and wool with the strict RWS certificate are just the beginning of this green fairy tale. The real technological magic lies in the coatings for leather-like materials – have you ever thought that you could wear clothes and accessories made from industrial corn or recycled vegetable oil and look like a true fashion icon? Welcome to the future, my dears. Being environmentally conscious has never, ever been so irresistibly attractive.
A campaign that screams "cool girls"
Nothing completes a high-end collection like a visually stunning campaign. Shot in London under the watchful eye of renowned photographer Sam Rock, the campaign exudes exactly what we need this spring: playfulness, lightness, nostalgia and a look firmly focused on the future.
The star-studded cast in front of the camera is complete – pop sensation and actress Renee Rapp, supermodel Angelina Kendall and iconic activist and model Adwoa Aboah. The entire story is tied together by the campaign’s slogan, &Stella, which morphs into countless forms throughout the photographs (&Here, &Now, &Me, &You). It’s a powerful message about connection, caring for one another and a way of being that speaks to the present moment as well as our past and future.
As H&M's Ann-Sofie Johansson perfectly summed it up: "Stella has always had a bold vision for fashion and this collection follows her journey from a young voice breaking the rules to a master of timeless design. Every piece in the collection is desirable and tells a unique, bold story." Get ready, May 7th will be here sooner than you think!
