Stella McCartney: A Midsummer Night’s Dream
By Mari Davis
(Photos by Javier Mateo)
PARIS, Oct 12, 2003/ FW/ --- Stella McCartney chose an early Sunday morning show at the Palais Brongniart for her Spring / Summer 2004 presentation.
Though the show was scheduled to start at 9:30 AM, there were already a lot of fans and onlookers by 8:30AM at the gate of the venue with hopes of catching a glimpse of ex-Beatle Paul McCartney and his wife Heather Mills, who were expected to attend the show.
And the fans were also looking forward to see Stella’s husband, Alasdhair Willis. But the fans waited for naught, because the designer’s family went through another entrance, and not at the front gate.
They were treated though with the entrances of Stella’s celebrity clients and guests. Anna Wintour and Richard Buckley, both from Vogue, attended the show. Bill Cunningham of the New York Times was among the high-profile members of the U.S. press contingent.
The Japanese press was busy photographing and interviewing Japanese celebrities attending the show. In fact, there was a high Japanese representation among Stella’s guests, proof that the Far East is becoming a very important market for her.
Inside Palais Brongniart, the hall was filled to capacity. Stella McCartney ‘can pack them in,’ to use a vernacular.
Sitting front row, as expected was the designer’s immediate family, Alasdhair Willis, Paul McCartney and Heather Mills.
Stella’s boss, Domenico de Sole, and important Gucci group luminaries peppered the international fashion press and celebrity guests.
There was an aura of lightness in the air – lots of handshaking and kisses being exchanged. Perhaps, it’s because the designer is still technically a newly wed, having tied the knot last month in the Isle of Bute, Scotland during the U.S. Labor Day weekend.
And as far as the fashion press was concerned, this was Alasdhair Willis’ ‘first official appearance’ in the fashion world as a member of Stella’s family.
Whatever the reason was, the feeling of gaiety was definitely there. So, when the lights dimmed and the music started, the hush that followed was almost expectant, as if the bride would literally walk down the aisle.
When the first model walked out, it was already obvious that the collection matched the mood in the venue – light, airy and expectant.
Stella opened the show with flowing crepe georgette in monochromatic aqua and pastel yellow, with an asymmetrical hemline, making the model look like a nymph in a fairy tale.
The designer then followed it with similar garment construction, sticking with flowing crepe georgette but in different monochromatic pastel shades.
The models, whether they were wearing minis, ankle-length dresses or gown, either sleeveless, long-sleeves or bare-shouldered looked like they were floating on the runway.
It was almost as if it was a scene from Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream,’ poetic and dreamy at the same time.
Then Stella changed the beat and sent out contemporary clothes – shorts, minis, and day dresses – but keeping the very feminine silhouette.
High-waisted shorts and Capri-length pants were paired with pastel colored blouses.
And, breaking new ground on swimwear design this season, Stella chose to make the bikini bottom high-waist too. The result – lots of skin were covered. The bikini top remained tiny and skimpy, emphasizing the shoulders of the wearer.
The designer also sent handbags on the runway, not leather of course. Beaded and woven, the bags were perfect accessories for the dreamy-like quality of the garments.
When Stella took her bow, she had a big smile on her face. She knew that she just designed a winning collection.
As she accepted the kudos being given to her by her applauding audience, and seeing the happiness on her face, it’s easy to realize that married life becomes her.
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