Stella McCartney: The Original Nepo Baby

Stella McCartney

Long before "nepo baby" became a trending hashtag, Stella McCartney navigated the blurred lines of privilege, talent, and determination. The second daughter of Paul McCartney and the late Linda McCartney, Stella's journey to becoming one of fashion’s most celebrated names started in an unassuming classroom at Central Saint Martins in London.

Stella McCartney & Naomi Campbell

It was 1995, and Stella was a stressed-out fashion student frantically putting together her graduation show—a pivotal moment for any aspiring designer. For most students, this involved calling in favors from close friends to walk the runway. For Stella, her “mates” happened to be Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, and Yasmin Le Bon—three of the hottest supermodels on the planet at the time.

While Stella initially hesitated to leverage her high-profile friendships, worried about how it would be perceived, she ultimately embraced the unique opportunity. As she puts it in the documentary, "In Vogue: The 90s":

"I had mates, but my mates were the supermodels. I was like, 'Everyone's gonna hate me if I do that...' but life's too short. They were genuinely my mates. Those girls were the hottest girls on the planet. They were doing every show in every city, and they did a little college fashion show for me. That was amazing."

The result was a highly tailored collection, complete with miniature top hats, that blended Stella’s signature craftsmanship with a sense of whimsy. As her friends walked the runway and her parents, Paul and Linda McCartney, beamed from the front row, the show garnered massive media attention. The next morning, newspapers splashed photos of the young designer and her star-studded entourage across their front pages, propelling Stella McCartney into overnight stardom.

Kate Moss

Naomi Campbell

While her use of supermodel friends and her famous last name sparked criticism at the time, Stella has always been transparent about her roots. Looking back, she admits to feeling "embarrassed" by the media frenzy that followed, but there’s no denying her Central Saint Martins show marked the beginning of a remarkable career.

Just a few years later, at 25, Stella took the reins at Chloe. She was stepping into the role after Karl Lagerfeld. The fashion world watched skeptically, but Stella’s unique vision and uncompromising dedication silenced the doubters.

Stella's Chloé debut

Fast forward to today, and Stella McCartney’s name is synonymous with innovation, sustainability, and sophistication. But her meteoric rise to fame in 1995 serves as a fascinating reminder of how connections, timing, and talent can intersect—paving the way for a designer who dared to own both her privilege and her potential.