She is one of the most famous designers in the United Kingdom and has a surname recognized throughout the world.
But in 1995, Stella McCartney was a stressed-out student frantically preparing for her graduation show at Central Saint Martins in London.
During her time at the acclaimed fashion school, the up-and-coming designer (who is the second daughter of Paul McCartney and his late wife Linda) befriended Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and Yasmin Le Bon.
So when it came time to cast models for her college project, the designer — who appears heavily in the upcoming Disney+ documentary In Vogue: The 90s — jumped at the chance to call in a favor from her high-powered friends.
However, the mother-of-three has since said she feels “embarrassed” by including her supermodel friends in her college catwalk show and the media frenzy that followed.
Pictured: Stella McCartney poses with Naomi Campbell after her graduation show at Central Saint Martins in 1995
Pictured: Stella McCartney dressed Kate Moss in a green slip dress and sky-high heels for the show.
As Stella prepares to reveal her time as a ’90s fashion wild child, FEMAIL takes a look back at the fashion show that put her on the map.
Like all fashion design students at Central Saint Martins, Stella had to create her own collection in her final year.
The designer opted for a highly personalized range of designs and created miniature top hats for all of her models to wear.
But while it was common practice for students to ask their friends to walk the runway, Stella admitted she was initially anxious to turn to her inner circle.
The designer recalls in the documentary: “All the other students would choose their models and then get their partners. I had partners, but my partners were the supermodels.
“I thought, ‘Everyone will hate me if I do that…’ but life is too short and they were really my friends. Those girls were the most beautiful girls on the planet.
“They were doing all the shows in all the cities, and they even did a little college fashion show for me. It was amazing.”
In addition to this, Stella’s parents, Paul and Linda McCartney, also had front row seats at her show, which graced the front pages of several newspapers the following day and catapulted the young designer to stardom.
Supermodel Naomi Campbell wore a striped ensemble and a miniature top hat to Stella McCartney’s prom show.
When it came to choosing models for her college project, the designer, who appears heavily in the upcoming Disney+ documentary In Vogue: The 90s, took the opportunity to ask her high-powered friends for a favor.
Recalling the media frenzy surrounding the show, model Naomi Campbell added: “I don’t think anyone has ever had a graduation like that. I’ve never seen a St Martins graduate with their collection on the front page of every newspaper.”
Stella said the show sparked a backlash from her fellow students, adding: “Because I was the daughter of such famous people, it became such a drama. I was like, ‘Ugh, get me out of here.'”
Reflecting on her early friendship with Stella, Kate told the documentary that she didn’t initially realise who her friend’s parents were.
She said: ‘We were hanging out in Notting Hill, going to the same bars or restaurants or whatever, and I didn’t know she was a McCartney.
“Then I saw her driving a Mercedes and I thought, ‘She’s in college. How can she afford that? ‘ So she told me and asked me to do her graduation show.”
Pictured: Stella McCartney with Kate Moss in London in the 1990s. Appearing on Desert Island Discs in 2017, Stella revealed that Kate lived with her for a time.
Reflecting on her graduation show, Stella said in 2017: “I look back on that moment and feel a little ashamed that I was so naive.”
After completing her foundation art studies at Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication, Stella McCartney enrolled at Central Saint Martins in the early 1990s.
Throughout her studies, the designer tried to distance herself from her famous father and used the name Stella Martin.
Appearing in BBC Radio 4 Desert Island Discs In 2017, Stella insisted she would “never tell anyone” who her parents were, but said the inevitable discovery was “always a bit painful.”
She added: “You could tell people in the hallway were looking at you differently.”
During her studies, Stella met Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and Yasmin Le Bon, who were already considered three of the biggest names in modelling.
Although Stella didn’t comment on how she connected with the trio, the designer did reveal in the BBC interview that Kate lived with her for a time when she was a student at Central Saint Martens.
So, towards the end of her senior year, the designer decided to ask them for a favor and parade down the catwalk with their designs.
In her interview with Desert Island Discs, Stella said: ‘I look back on that moment and feel a little ashamed that I was so naive.
‘They were my classmates and I hung out with them when I was at university (…)
“So when it came time to choose the models for my graduation show, I thought I’d ask my friends.”
Looking back on the show, Stella admitted that the decision “probably angered” her classmates as well.
However, the designer said her graduation year was a “very British time” and she wanted to showcase the faces that represented the UK on the world stage.
Stella then went on to say that the models could have agreed to appear in one of the other grad shows if they had requested it.
After graduating from Central Saint Martins, Stella was announced as creative director of Chloe two years later and has worked frequently with Kate Moss since then, including on her own label.
Both Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell also appeared on the catwalk for Chloe in 1997, which was Stella’s first year in the role.
Pictured: Kate Moss and Stella McCartney seen in 2000s London after lunching with Noel Gallager’s ex-wife Meg Matthews.
Pictured: Kate Moss and Stella McCartney on the Chloe catwalk in 1997 after the designer’s debut collection.
Pictured: Kate Moss’ daughter Lila, 21, seen walking the runway for Stella McCartney at Paris Fashion Week in March.
In 2014, Stella chose her old friend to appear in her winter ad campaign, telling her: Vogue Arabia‘Kate embodies the Stella McCartney woman and I wanted to capture her dreams and the moments we’ve shared over the years.’
The model also appeared in Stella’s 2019 campaign and said in an interview with the brand’s website: ‘I’ve had a long personal friendship with Stella and it’s always been natural for us to work together and support each other.’
Talking to him Evening Standard In January, when Kate turned 50, Stella added: “She was my introduction to the fashion industry and we have never been apart. She is my adventure partner, my number one partner.”
Earlier this year, the model’s daughter Lila even appeared at Stella McCartney’s show at Paris Fashion Week.
The 21-year-old wore a vibrant blue, oversized knit dress as she walked the runway ahead of Vogue’s Anna Wintour.
The streaming platform has tapped a group of influential contributors to take part in the landmark fashion series In Vogue: a behind-the-scenes look at the trends that defined the 1990s.
The upcoming show will also give viewers access to insights from top Vogue editors including Global Editorial Director Anna Wintour, British Vogue Editor-in-Chief Edward Enninful, Sustainability Editor Tonne Goodman and Contributing Editor Grace Coddington.
Former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham, now an established designer, will offer her own take on 90s fashion and the role Vogue played in its evolution throughout the decade.
In Vogue will showcase rare and never-before-seen archives from key industry figures and reveal the untold story of the decade’s most celebrated pop cultural moments and movements.
The first three episodes of In Vogue: The 90s will arrive on Disney+ on September 13, followed by three more on September 20.
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