Lane Crawford delves deep into the world of Stella McCartney to find out everything there is to know about China's top-selling designer brand…
A is for animals. Stella grew up on an organic farm surrounded by animals — horses in particular, her mother's favourite — in Essex.
B is for "bristols." For Stella's first namesake collection in 2001, she plastered the slang term for breasts, "bristols," on a T-shirt, leaving fashion critics bemused.
C is for couturier Christian Lacroix. As a teen, Stella worked with French designer Christian Lacroix when he pieced together his first couture collection.
D is for De Kooning. The abstract expressionist artist, Willem De Kooning, was the subject of her college thesis at Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design in London.
E is for environment. Stella is a staunch supporter of Earth Day and Stella McCartney Ltd. is certified as a carbon neutral company. The brand's packaging is entirely biodegradable.
F is for Falabella. One of Stella McCartney's signature items, the Falabella chain-trimmed bag, is a perennial must-have.
G is for gal pals. Stella's inner circle of gal pals includes celebrity actresses, GOOP founder Gwyneth Paltrow, and fellow "Rock Royalty," Liv Tyler.
H is for Hong Kong. Stella McCartney first landed in Hong Kong at Lane Crawford stores back in 2002.
I is for Isle of Bute. The serene locale is where Stella married Alasdhair Willis, the former publisher of "Wallpaper" magazine and co-founder of modern furniture company, Established & Sons.
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J is for jia. Meaning "family" in Chinese, jia is at the core of Stella's sphere of influence, and the main source for her inspiration.
K is for kids. Not only does Stella design for them with her line Stella McCartney Kids, she has four, and endearingly refers to them as her "monkeys."
L is for London 2012. Stella will design the outfits for Great Britain's national team for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London.
M is for Meat Free Mondays. The "one meat-free day a week" organisation championed by the McCartney family helps reduce carbon emissions of meat consumption and protects animal rights.
N is for Notting Hill. That famed London neighbourhood made famous by Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts in the film "Notting Hill", is also the home to Stella's design studio.
O is for old Hollywood films. "I loved watching old Hollywood films from the Fifties like "Annie Get Your Gun," which inspired me to be a designer," Stella tells Lane Crawford.
P is for Paris. Despite being based in London, Stella McCartney presents its catwalk collection each season at Paris Fashion Week.
Q is for quoting Stella, when she says, "…it is really important to think outside the box and try to expand outside the brand." What's next for Stella McCartney?
R is for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 1999, when Sir Paul McCartney was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as an individual performer, Stella boldly wore a shirt that had the words "ABOUT FUCKING TIME!" emblazoned on the front.
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S is for S.N.M. "S.N.M." — standing for Stella Nina McCartney — and "Stella" were initial ideas for the designer's new company when it was initially set-up by the Gucci Group in 2001.
T is for tailoring. And more specifically, Savile Row tailors. McCartney, as did Alexander McQueen, apprenticed on the famed sartorial street to learn the storied traditions of English tailoring.
U is for under the fashion influence. Similar to his daughter Stella, Sir Paul McCartney wore a shirt that said "ABOUT FLIPPIN' TIME" when Stella received the VH1/Vogue Fashion and Music 2000 Designer of the Year Award.
V is for vegetarian. Stella was raised to be a vegetarian, and extends the concept of pain-free living to her vegan shoes and accessories. She also supports the Meat Free Mondays initiative.
W is for Wings. Wings was the name of her father and mother's band, following the break-up of the Beatles.
X is for "x" marks the spot. For Stella's Autumn/Winter 2011 collection, sheer panelled sheath dresses with all-over spotting were a central theme.
Y is for yoga… One of the many sports Stella designs for under Adidas by Stella McCartney. The line also includes apparel for cycling, golfing, running, swimming and tennis.
Z is for zealous patrons. This year alone, celebrities Iman, Madonna, Eva Mendes, Thandie Newton, Rihanna, Hailee Steinfeld, Amber Valletta, Naomi Watts and Kate Winslet have all worn Stella McCartney for their various red carpet affairs.
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