
Sam Rock.
Taking a stud gun to a plain white tee hours before the Met Gala might sound like a recipe for disaster, but for Stella McCartney, it resulted in an era-defining moment that still resonates today. Twenty years have passed since her first landmark partnership with H&M, a milestone that now brings the duo back together for a second round of wardrobe-altering designs.
“I see this collection as a journey through my fashion history. It is a true mix of current classics and some of my old favourites that showcase my first forays into fashion and the development of my signatures. It’s playful, strong, sparkling, joyful, refined,” McCartney says.
In a recent conversation with Ann-Sofie Johansson, creative advisor and Head of Design Womenswear at H&M, McCartney reflected on her journey from a rule-breaking newcomer to a knighted pillar of the industry. Success during her career often arrived at a pace so fast that the British designer rarely allowed herself to process the magnitude of her achievements. It took advice from Oprah Winfrey to change that perspective, encouraging the designer to let the accolades land properly during a conversation before McCartney received France’s highest order from President Macron.

Sam Rock.
Johansson views this reunion as a vital opportunity to move environmental responsibility back to the top of the global agenda. Over two decades, the partnership has matured from simple organic cotton initiatives to a comprehensive overhaul of textile sourcing. “Stella has always had a bold vision for fashion, and this collection tracks her journey from a young, rule-breaking voice to a master of timeless design,” she says. “One of the reasons why we decided to collaborate again is to show what progress we have made during these 20 years. Stella inspired us to be better. When we saw her commitment to sustainability, we realised we had to match that ambition.”
Shot by Sam Rock, the campaign features a cast that includes pop star Reneé Rapp, Angelina Kendall and Adwoa Aboah. McCartney views the selection of these women as a vital part of the story. “I lean into real women that, I think, have something to say. I’m a big advocate of women, supporting women and their success,” she says.
Central to this relaunch is the &Stella initiative, a tagline that appears throughout the campaign. Reinterpreted in various forms – ‘&Here,’ ‘&Now,’ ‘&Me,’ ‘&You’ – it acts as a call for connection, care and a more conscious way of living.

Sam Rock.
Reaching into her bedazzled archives has produced a collection that functions as a personal map of her fashion history. McCartney lovers will find a mix of archival hits and contemporary classics: one of the most recognisable inclusions is the Rock Royalty mini tee, a piece born from that chaotic DIY session with Liv Tyler, alongside contemporary icons like the Falabella-inspired knitwear.
H&M’s global reach allows McCartney to infiltrate the industry from within, replacing standard industry practices with cleaner alternatives at a massive scale. “I hate how elitist my industry is. It’s always gone against who I am as a person,” she says. “I hate that working in a sustainable way – sourcing better, growing mushrooms, leathers – means that my price points are higher, because I am sourcing and supplying and making in a much more costly way, and I can’t soak it all up in my margin if I want to have a healthy business that can change the industry.”

Sam Rock.
Innovation is evident in every detail, from crystals composed of 80% recycled glass to chains crafted from recycled aluminium. To empower the consumer, every garment features a swing tag detailing its exact composition, such as the benefits of recycled polyester over virgin alternatives. McCartney believes this transparency is essential for shoppers who often feel overwhelmed by environmental concerns.
Johansson notes that the conversation around environmental responsibility needs a fresh injection of energy to keep consumers engaged. “Sustainability has fallen off the agenda a little bit now. Nobody seems to talk about sustainability any longer, including H&M. We just thought it was great to team up again, join forces and actually put it back on the agenda and continue to keep that conversation going,” she says.
Tailoring remains a central theme, pulling from the designer’s background in menswear and Savile Row expertise to create silhouettes that work for anyone. Oversized shirting and sweeping trenches provide the foundation, while rib-knitted dresses use the iconic Falabella chain as a decorative neckline. “I really wanted to make it quite gender fluid because I take men’s suits all the time,” she says. “I definitely wanted to have a solution-driven wardrobe.”

Sam Rock.
The technical achievements of the collection are equally impressive. A timeless trench coat is crafted from 100% Regenerative Organic Certified cotton, supporting soil restoration and biodiversity. For those seeking a bolder aesthetic, the python-printed cropped bomber might be the best choice, crafted entirely with EcoWel and BioFleax materials. Partywear is the best example of this innovation: the range includes a shimmering tassel bra worthy of Britney Spears, lace leggings and tops covered in recycled glass stones and brass.
Familiar horse prints and bold cherry motifs appear on mesh dresses, offering a splash of colour against the more muted tones of the palette. Footwear avoids the use of animal products entirely, relying instead on natural materials and coatings derived from industrial corn and recycled vegetable oil. Loafers and flip-flop mules look incredibly soft, featuring a finish that mimics the feel of moleskin without utilising a single animal bone or toxic tanning chemical.
The collaboration also includes a robust accessories range, featuring six bag styles – including small shoulder bags, giant totes and a chocolate-toned bag with a chain strap – as well as necklaces, charms and earrings crafted from recycled metal. Meanwhile, the vegan Frayme bags use bio-based coatings derived from industrial corn.

Sam Rock.
“I think when you buy into this, you’ll buy into a strong idea about who you are and what choices you’re making as a consumer. Fashion is something you can get lost in, and you should escape into it, but at the same time, you should be aware it’s one of the most harmful industries to the planet,” McCartney says.
Demand for the original 2005 collection saw pieces sell out in minutes, a frenzy that McCartney plans to witness firsthand by potentially joining the queue in a beard and disguise.
The H&M x Stella McCartney collection is launching on 7th May in stores globally and online. Discover more here.
photography. courtesy of Sam Rock
words. Gennaro Costanzo