Stella McCartney’s iconic Elyse shoe celebrates its 10th anniversary, marking a decade since the British conscious luxury pioneer took a step forward for cruelty-free footwear. Bringing together the upper of a men’s Derby with the feminine, fashion twist of a signature platform silhouette, it rests on an immediately recognisable sustainably sourced, FSC-certified wooden wedge and saw-edged micro-sole. Each pair is handcrafted in Italy using 100% cruelty-free materials and is vegan down to the glue.
The Elyse was shot at London’s Kew Gardens alongside the ‘Light into Life’ exhibition of celebrated British artist Marc Quinn – a sculptural celebration of sunlight and plants as the roots of life on Earth, with reflective pieces reminding us that we are in nature and at one with it. This is aligned with Stella’s vision for the Elyse, using plant-based and cruelty-free alternatives to protect Mother Earth and our fellow creatures.
Every year, fashion kills over 1 billion cows, sheep, goats and other creatures for leather (PETA). The industry is also driving the destruction of vital natural environments; animal agriculture, where leather comes from, is responsible for 80% of the Amazon’s deforested areas (WWF). Stella McCartney has never used leather, feathers, fur or skins.
The Elyse debuted at the Stella McCartney Winter 2014 runway show, embodying the dualities signature to the brand – a blend of masculine and feminine, classic and sporty, timeless yet contemporary. The ageless style became a favourite amongst the celebrity set, including Kendall Jenner, Beyonce, Rihanna, Gigi Hadid, Oprah, Viola Davis and beyond. Recent innovation iterations include a collaboration with Veuve Clicquot, inspiring Elyse sandals crafted using a grape-based vegan sourced from the champagne Maison’s harvest by-product as well as a wedge repurposing its corks.
