STELLA LIGHTS UP THE NIGHT IN SOHO

DAVID BATCHELOR AT STELLA MCCARTNEY - SOHO PH: JASON JOBSONStella McCartney has taken her unique sense of style further STYLE IN THE ROUND AT STELLA PH: JASON JOBSONdowntown in NYC to SOHO!   This British designer is the coolest woman working a runway collection on either side of the pond, and she continues to make news season after season.   Last Fall she bested every American designer right under their noses by dressing more A-List celebs at the Met Costume Institute Gala than even the late honoree - Alexander McQueen!LACE BUT NO LEATHER! - STELLA McCARTNEY - PH: PAMELA BERKOVIC

In fact, Stella and her crack team of fashion professionals seem to be one of the only companies creating any buzz these days.   Not by going public, not by starring in some tacky reality show, but by creating newness - season after season.  There is something you can't put into words about Stella and the way she rolls.   Her fashion shows and boutique events have an authentic vibe to them that shows her credibility with celebrities and the "in" crowd is the real deal. BROCADE IN GOLD -STELLA McCARTNEY PH: PAMELA BERKOVIC  The celebrities in attendance are there because they want to be, not as some sort of pay-for-play deal with agents and fashion campaigns.   Stella is just cool.  

The new boutique is bigger and brighter thanLITTLE BLACK JACKET - STELLA McCARTNEY F2012 PH: PAMELA BERKOVIC McCartney's current 14th Street store.  It covers two floors and several thousand square feet.   Ms. McCartney naturally outgrew the Meatpacking District store over time by creating division after division, and by raising the bar on her own creativity.  McCartney refuses to use leather or fur in any category and has become the only fashion designer in the industry doing so to achieve status and make "wanted" accessories from non leather or exotic skins. 

U.K. based artist David Batchelor designed the sleek light boxes that fill Stella's windows and make her entrance into SOHO's fashion scene.   Located at 112 Green Street, McCartney is in good company right next to Louis Vuitton.   Oddly, LV doesn't make their bags from leather either - but that's no Vegan cause - that's another conversation.

Stella McCartney is hot and you need at least one piece of her collection in your permanent wardrobe.DAVID BATCHELOR LIGHT BOXES

Up next for McCartney? Oh just designing the uniforms for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London!  As if that weren't cool enough - look for Stella's cameo in the return of ABFAB.  That's right, Patsy and Edina are back and this time around they love STELLA! 

Visit the Stella McCartney boutique near you - Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Dallas, Bal Harbour, or New York.  Don't wait to visit her website now.   Her collection is also available on Net-a-Porter.

Stella McCartney SOHO is located at 112 Greene Street. 

STELLA'S GARDEN PARTY - SPRING 2012

STELLA McCARTNEY SPRING 2012- PH: PAMELA BERKOVICWith the Fall weather getting closer day by day, I'm fondly thinking about a magical afternoon this Spring that was the official kick off to Summer in NYC.   Fashion designer Stella McCartney stayed true to her British roots and staged the ultimate garden party in New York's West Village.   McCartney is known for her understated style and laid back attitude on-and-off the runway.   While most fashion events are stuffy and uptight, team McCartney is able to create an easy atmosphere that comes off cool and chic.   When Stella has a party, you know you are going to have a good time! Who else could make shaved ice, ping pong, and scrabble a backdrop for a runway collection?

There is an authenticity to these events, that just can't be staged.  Partly due to the fact that the parties are always full of Stella's own friends.  And when your friends and family are rock legends and movie stars, there is hardly room (or reason) for getting a big head.ph: PAMELA BERKOVIC 

For Spring 2012, Stella gave us bright colors and intricate prints styled in the signature mix & match combinations that first made McCartney famous.  It was her re-launch of the sleeping French classic  Chloe collection in the late 90's that made headlines.  STELLA McCARTNEY SPRING 2012 - PH: PAMELA BERKOVIC Stella set the fashion world on fire with a mix of fine tailoring and fluid soft shapes.   For Spring 2012, we find bright horizontal stripes worn back to exotic Hawaiian prints.  The collection is full of items that can truly be worn back to pieces shoppers already own.  *This has always been one of the secrets to Stella's success*.  She knows how women shop and never loses sight that the coolest customers build their wardrobe piece by piece. 

The party at St. Luke's in the Field was a breath of fresh air.  Models played croquet, guests drank Guinness, and Stella's friends were able to relax in the private garden setting.   Liv Tyler, Naomi Watts, & Bono  (to name a few!) all stopped by to show their support.  The garden was decorated with small displays of accessories and shoes that became part of the beautiful garden of St. Luke's in the Field.  (This famous garden, open to the public, was featured in the motion picture Doubt with Meryl Streep).

Guests of the party were given a living rose bush on the way out the door via a flower cart, a subtle nod to Stella's passion for sustainable fashion and her effort to make the world a Greener place.   This devout vegan is the only designer working with a major fashion comglomerate (PPR) that does not useROSES FROM STELLA PH: JASON JOBSON leather in any part of her collections.   Bravo Stella!  ST. LUKE'S IN THE FIELD PH: JASON JOBSON

Visit Stella McCartney to view the full collection - and Net-a-Porter to shop the current collection.  

** Stella McCartney NYC  moves to Soho this Fall **

Special thanks to team Stella and the very talented photographer- Pamela Berkovic.