Leather's environmental impact is incredibly high. Livestock farming, especially for leather and wool, often leads to deforestation, habitat destruction, and the displacement of wildlife, damaging the planetary boundary of biosphere integrity (biodiversity loss). In addition, the energy required for animal farming also accounts for a big part of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, responsible for climate change.

Stella McCartney needed to find innovative ways to continue delivering high-quality products while reducing its environmental footprint and addressing consumer demand for transparency and ethical practices.

Stella McCartney has been known for avoiding animal-derived materials from the start and continually seeking out and investing in sustainable alternatives.

The brand has partnered with several startups to create innovative materials, such as a grape-by-product leather in collaboration with Veuve Clicquot (VEGEA), banana plant biodegradable materials (Bananatex®), and mycelium-based leather substitutes (Mylo™, fungus). They produce parkas from 100% regenerated nylon and biologically recycled polyester, as well as a Cradle to Cradle Gold-Level certified wool knitwear yarn. Cradle to Cradle certification promotes eco-design approaches in line with the eco-responsible values ​​of the circular economy. The label takes into account the reuse of all raw materials to avoid the generation of waste in the life cycle of a product.

McCartney utilises blockchain to enhance supply chain transparency, tracing the production of regenerative cotton and wool.

By partnering with The RealReal, they promote garment care to extend product lifespan and reduce their carbon footprint through the Clevercare initiative.

Additionally, McCartney co-founded the Collab SOS Fund, a US$200 million initiative supporting startups that develop climate solutions, highlighting their dedication to fostering sustainability in the fashion industry.

The brand successfully developed and integrated cutting-edge, biodegradable, and plant-based materials into its collections, reducing reliance on animal products and harmful synthetic alternatives.

By using blockchain, they enhanced traceability, enabling greater supply chain transparency and ensuring the ethical sourcing of regenerative materials.

Overall, the brand is contributing to the broader fashion industry’s transition towards climate-friendly practices, encouraging more responsible producer and consumer habits.

Photo by Trevor McKinnon on Unsplash