Stella McCartney’s Fall 2023 RTW Is A Horse Girl’s Dream

Calling all horse girls: Stella McCartney’s Fall 2023 came out with the perfect collection for you. 

Stella McCartney took inspiration from her late mother, Linda McCartney, and the special connection her mother had with her horse –a white and gray speckled Appaloosa named Lucky Spot. Stella McCartney based her latest show off of the love that is possible not only between people but between humans and animals. 

Image Courtesy: Stella McCartney

The showcasing of this collection took place in France at the Manege Ecole Militaire, as one half of the room served as seating for guests while the other was a dirt area that served as the runway. Celebrities like singer-songwriter Avril Levigne, actress Jesica Alba, and actresses Madison Bailey and Madelyn Cline from Netflix’s Outer Banks could be seen in attendance. As everyone settled in, a techno remix of  “Feed the horse” by the Fagget Fairys began to play in the background, officially commencing the show. Seven horses were let in and onto the dirt area, six of which were white, while one had a similar coat to Lucky Spot. Soon after the horses were let in, the barn doors at the beginning of the runway began releasing models that strutted down the dirt path with an upbeat gait.

In previous Fall collections, the color palette tended to have black and white act as the sole neutrals of the show with the occasional pops of color –this has typically been burgundy or burnt orange. This consistency was kept as black, and white made their commonplace appearance, but some changes could be seen: brown made itself a new neutral, orange and pink could be seen, and cadmium red was the standout color for the show. An all-black dress with a plunging neckline and triangular cutouts exposing the waist had to braid lining the edges rather than simply having them hemmed. Chain detailing could be seen underneath several blazers and some pants.

Patterns were also present: plaid, pinstripe, a repeating print of a rearing horse, and speckling inspired by the Appaloosa horse. Plaid was one of the first to be seen on the runway and was mainly used for the suits and blazers in the collection –and was either gray or rusty orange. Black and gray were the only colors pinstripe could be seen in, and were used in the vest tops and their matching pants. Three looks had the image of a rearing horse printed onto them: the first was a black long-sleeve polo dress with the image repeated in orange, the second was a black sweater with a singular rearing horse in red, and the final look was a white boxy drop-sleeve tee paired with a midi skirt with the image repeating in black. Several coats designed in a trench and waistcoat style were made of faux fur and had the Appaloosa speckle printed onto them. Knee-high and thigh-high faux leather boots were paired with several looks– with the exception of heels with an oversized foot. Two accessories that have become a regular appearance on the McCartney runway since their launch in the Fall 2021 collection have been the Frayme bag and the Falabella tote bag. These two bags were being clutched or held by models. 

Each look was consistent with what Stella McCartney is known for suits, blazers, pants, faux leathers and furs, and tasteful tailoring. The motif of horses came through in several looks as elements of it were integrated seamlessly within the designs. This signature approach of womenswear with a masculine flare was honored effortlessly in the collection’s theme and made for a pleasantly unique show all around. 

Strike out,

Alyssa Quarrie

Boca Raton

Alyssa Quarrie is a Content Writer for Strike Magazine Boca. When she’s not losing herself in another book, she’s working out with friends, looking for flights, and thrifting her wallet away. You can reach her at alyssaquarrie@gmail.com