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The Swallow Intarsia cardigan in Midnight ($4,325). Supermodel Kate Grigorieva in Stella McCartney's Spring 2015 runway show in Paris. "I've always aImed to [crush] stereotypes of sustaInable fashIon by provIng that It Is possIble to create beautIful, luxurIous evenIngwear." —stella mccartney Cashman, Heather Colleary, Jess Gifford-Nigrelli, Sinesia Karol, and Tiffany Ortiz. "I've always aimed to [crush] stereotypes of sustainable fashion by proving that it is possible to create beautiful, luxurious eveningwear causing little to no harm to the environ- ment," says McCartney—a vegetarian like her father, musician Paul McCartney, and her husband, designer Alasdhair Willis—who has refrained from using leather in her work since she launched her line in 2001. Her Summer collection's highlights include premium denim featuring appliques and embroidery made from fully organic cotton, asymmetrical knit tank dresses, and a selection of handbags designed to lie f lat, so they require fewer shipping materials. McCartney is particularly excited about a newly developed sustainable wool produced in partnership with the Nature Conservancy by Ovis 21, a network of ranchers in Argentina, using methods that minimize the impact of grazing on the environment. "We thought it was perfectly aligned with the values of our brand and a great way to have a really positive impact on the environment," she says. Utilized in blazers, trousers, and knits, the sustainable wool has become a staple for the brand. Sustainable design and manufacturing are not always easy, and maintain- ing the principles of her line is no simple task for McCartney. "It's slightly more limiting—you have fewer colors available, you have fewer fabrics available, and they're a different quality than the type that you're used to," she says. "I wouldn't say there are restrictions, but there are definitely challenges. But anything is better than nothing. So if I have 200 meters of something that we didn't use up in previous collections, I will always turn to that again before ordering more fabric. I think that it's just a different way of looking at making things." The payoff, though, is simple—and McCartney has legions of high-profile supporters to prove she's on the right path (Drew Barrymore, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Beyoncé among them). "I'm proud to be expanding the boundaries of what sustainability can look and feel like," she says. "I believe the luxury industry has a long way to go, but everyone should make these efforts. The only true way to effect change is to widely disseminate these types of initiatives to as many brands as possible. I always did believe in infiltrating from within." saks fifth avenue, the shops at prudential center, 617-262- 8500; saks.com BC 36 bostoncommon-magazine.com STYLE Tastemaker