Stella McCartney, known for her commitment to animal rights and sustainability, put horses at the center of her eponymous brand's Paris Fashion Week show set in a riding hall in Paris' Bois de Boulogne.
Five black horses and five white horses charged in and began performing an intricate equestrian choreography, walking in circles and weaving around each other, before the first models emerged on an oval catwalk surrounding the sandy ring.
The winter 2026 collection continued the equestrian theme, with thigh-high riding boots, and suit trousers or jeans fashioned into stirrup pants and paired with bright preppy sweatshirts.
"There's a lot of new innovations in the show," McCartney told Reuters in an interview after the show. "Everything's plant-based, vegan, so there are no animal glues, there's no dead animals.
"That's why I always like to sort of remind people and celebrate and bring animals into the conversation," she added, saying the show also honored the Lunar New Year of the Horse.
Dresses and skirts covered in plastic-free sequins featured hip bustles, pleats and bows, while multicolored crochet scarves provided a pop of color to tailored suits.
Stella McCartney, founded 25 years ago, became fully independent once more last year after McCartney bought the minority stake held by LVMH back from the luxury group.
A few seats down from Stella's father, former Beatle Paul McCartney, LVMH heir Antoine Arnault was among the front row guests at the show, seated next to his wife, model Natalia Vodianova.
