video transcript

PLEASE NOTE: EDIT CONTAINS GRAPHIC LANGUAGE - HEARD IN RUNWAY MUSIC ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION) STORY: British designer Stella McCartney presented her autumn/winter 2013-14 collection in front of a star-studded crowd inside the sumptuous Palais Garnier opera house on Monday (March 4) during Paris Fashion Week. The A-list seating included a spot for the designer's ex-Beatle father, Paul, who sat next to superstar Bono and his wife Ali Hewson. McCartney's latest collection once again displayed her penchant for combining masculine and feminine elements to produce minimalist, casual, and easy-to-wear separates. The silhouette was loose and relaxed with exaggerated wrapping on coats and elongated skirts with circular side-kicks that brought volume and movement to the front. Pinstripe was interpreted in unique ways throughout the collection, even making its way onto outerwear and knitwear. The color palette was restrained to black, midnight blue and charcoal with pops of bright violet, aubergine and amethyst. Fabrics used were rich, such as the needle-punched tartans. With evening wear, McCartney gave a nod to traditional British tailoring. Lapels were repositioned to sculpt the body and volume was exaggerated at the front, tipping the balance of the silhouette forward in silk duchess and delicate silk cloquet jacquard in ivory and silk. McCartney's label is known for appealing to the modern working woman and her designs are praised for being eminently wearable. The designer began her fashion career with the iconic French designer Christian Lacroix in her teens. She later went on to study fashion design in London and her supermodel friends Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss famously walked for her graduation show. After launching her own line, McCartney was appointed creative director at Chloe where she stayed until 2001. The Stella McCartney brand is a joint venture with French luxury and retail group PPR, whose stable of brands include Yves Saint Laurent, Gucci and Alexander McQueen.