Stella McCartney Steps Down

Some of the best news we've heard in a long time. Coveted designer Stella McCartney has stepped down -- literally -- to meet the eye and wardrobe needs of her younger clientele. No stranger to collaborations with mega retailers, McCartney has decided to ride the wave of her uber-successful jaunt with H&M and partnered with GapKids and babyGap for a limited edition (read: this stuff's gonna sell) fall/winter collection, and to the delight of many a gay boy in the making, she didn't stop at girls.

Stella’s got a way with draping, incorporating a certain geometry into her pieces, giving her looser designs a unique, intrinsic structure. Never one to put kids in chiffon, she opted instead for playful tutus and iconic velvet blazers, as well as interesting chunky knits that fell just above or below typical. Jeans range from skinny to the signature Stella flare. She was inspired by playing dress up, and the fits of each piece, worn separately or worked together, reflects that innocent expression.

For the boys she offered superhero-emblazoned graphic tees and jeans for the basic, while extending to colorful anoraks, interesting knits and a slew of outerwear, from peacoats to quilted chambray, each piece reflecting her organic take on fashion. This playful approach to “throwing on an outfit” goes right on to the boys’ sketching sneakers, accompanied by a set of pens used to decorate themselves.
Fabrics range from tulle to lived-in denim to the occasional cashmere blend piece. Kids deserve luxury, right? With the recession supposedly over it’s time to start enjoying the finer things in life again, and what better way than kiddie cashmere?

Launching in stores in the US and online November 2, we expect lines abundant in North Face-clad mommies pushing ergonomic, eco-friendly carriages to flank every GapKids in the city, as well-dressed young ‘uns are the hautest accessory nowadays.