You can’t help but admire Stella McCartney, and honestly, I do. After her fantastic outdoor show in Paris this morning—thankfully dry, though still a bit gray—she was backstage, fielding questions about her latest collection. The lineup was all about confidence, with bold, oversized suiting and roomy trenches (a recurring theme this season), followed by pleated dresses and delicate lingerie paired with slouchy trousers for a more relaxed evening vibe. Footwear included some very ’80s-inspired, sculpted high sandals, and flat boxing boots for a touch of toughness. Her new duffel bag design, the Ryder, crafted from vegan materials, came in sizes ranging from dainty to large enough for a weekend away. Among the audience, you had the expected, like her friend Natalia Vodianova, and the unexpected, like Virginie Viard, fresh off her departure from Chanel, making a rare appearance with her son Robinson. It was a touching display of solidarity, something McCartney excels at fostering.

Now, let’s get back to what happened behind the scenes. When asked which look was her personal favorite, McCartney pointed to a playful blue mini dress, shaped like a cloud, made from recycled plastic bottles. As for why the word “Mother” was emblazoned on one of the tank tops? She explained that we’re all connected to Mother Earth, so it’s a fitting statement. Then, with a cheeky grin, she let slip that, if you look closely, you’ll see the word “fucker” hidden in small print at the bottom. When the conversation shifted to her favorite color, McCartney started talking about blue skies, which led her to birds—the inspiration behind the whole collection. Birds were everywhere, whether as prints, jewelry, or bag charms. The show even opened with Helen Mirren reciting a custom-written spoken word piece, and the soundtrack featured Prince’s “When Doves Cry.” McCartney’s message was clear: “This season, we’re not killing birds for fashion. A billion and a half birds die for this industry, but their feathers belong on them. Instead, we’re inspired by their beauty and freedom. This collection is all about elevation, like a bird soaring high—free to see things from a different perspective, both masculine and feminine.”

This is quintessential Stella McCartney, and it’s why she’s still such a powerful figure in fashion after more than two decades. She’s never afraid to call out the industry’s role in the environmental crisis, and she keeps finding ways to spark conversation. From the “About Fucking Time” caps sitting on every chair (a nod to her collaboration with PETA on animal welfare) to *The Stella Times* newspaper packed with environmental facts and statistics, she blends serious issues with her trademark British humor. Yes, her clothes were fantastic, but it’s everything else she’s doing—constantly pushing for change in a world teetering on the edge—that makes her truly remarkable.