Stella McCartney marks Year of the Horse at Paris Fashion Week

PARIS: Renowned designer and animal rights advocate Stella McCartney brought an equestrian spectacle to life at Paris Fashion Week, placing horses at the heart of her brand’s latest showcase. The show was staged in a riding hall in Paris’ Bois de Boulogne, blending fashion with performance art.

In a striking opening, five black and five white horses entered the arena, performing a carefully choreographed routine. Moving in synchronized circular patterns, the horses weaved around one another before models emerged onto an oval catwalk encircling the sandy ring.

The Winter 2026 collection continued the equestrian theme, featuring thigh-high riding boots, stirrup-style trousers paired with tailored suits or jeans, and vibrant preppy sweatshirts. The designs combined classic riding aesthetics with modern silhouettes.

Speaking to Reuters, McCartney highlighted the brand’s commitment to sustainability, saying, “There’s a lot of new innovations in the show… Everything’s plant-based, vegan, as there are no animal glues, there are no dead animals.”

Celebrating the Lunar New Year of the Horse, McCartney emphasized her long-standing mission to keep animals part of the conversation in fashion. The collection also showcased plastic-free sequined dresses and skirts, detailed with bustles, pleats, and bows, alongside multicolored crochet scarves adding vibrancy to tailored looks.

Founded 25 years ago, the Stella McCartney label recently regained full independence after the designer bought back the minority stake held by LVMH.

Among the notable attendees were McCartney’s father, Paul McCartney, and LVMH heir Antoine Arnault, who was seated alongside his wife, model Natalia Vodianova.