STELLA McCartney celebrates the life and work of American artist Frank Stella with the new AW22 collection. The playful garments are designed for “Stella women who are both creators and collectors – turning pragmatic staples into effortlessly wearable art,” McCartney says.
The colour palette and graphic prints are an ode to Frank Stella’s abstract artwork. A long sleeve, midi dress with a drop waist boasts a colourful print that resembles Frank Stella’s 1995 Spectralia screenprint – one of his most famous pieces. The print is sprinkled throughout the collection, also covering a Savile Row quality, oversized suit jacket and trouser set.
As a reference to Frank Stella’s earlier minimalist artwork, stripes and geometrical lines are a consistent theme in the lineup, decorating faux fur outerwear and matching knit asymmetrical sweater and pencil skirt sets.
A bright lilac, ribbed knit bodysuit that can be worn on its own or used for layering during the colder months is a perfect piece for transitioning between seasons. Environmentally-friendly viscose in the same shade of purple is used to create eye-catching party dresses.
Everyday essentials such as the artist’s workwear uniform were elevated through the use of unexpected fabrics such as burgundy velvety flocked denim. Shoes and bags were animal friendly and constructed out of vegan leather, including a textile made from grape waste sourced from Italian wineries.
A total of 67% of the AW22 ready-to-wear collection was made from conscious materials such as forest-friendly viscose, organic cotton, recycled nylon, recycled polyester, regenerative NATIVA wool.
Stella and Stella come together to create a collection for and by artists. The garments are whimsical yet fit for day-to-day wear. This collection was a successful collaboration in Stella McCartney’s long line of collaborative efforts.
by Jamison Kent