Stella McCartney’s Elyse platform shoe marks its 10th anniversary, celebrating a decade of leading the charge in cruelty-free luxury footwear. To honor this milestone, the brand introduces a limited-edition capsule featuring monochromatic styles in black, red, white, and all-over lead-free crystal.
Shot at London’s Kew Gardens amidst Marc Quinn’s ‘Light into Life’ exhibition, the Elyse captures the essence of McCartney’s commitment to sustainability and artistry. Quinn’s work, which highlights the symbiotic relationship between sunlight and plants, perfectly complements McCartney’s vision of using plant-based, cruelty-free materials to protect the planet.
The fashion industry annually claims the lives of over a billion animals for leather, contributing significantly to environmental destruction. McCartney’s unwavering stance against the use of leather, feathers, fur, or skins sets a powerful example. The Elyse shoe combines a men’s Derby upper with a distinctive platform, crafted from sustainably sourced, FSC-certified wood and a saw-edged micro-sole. Handmade in Italy, each pair is 100% vegan, including the glue.
First unveiled during the Stella McCartney Winter 2014 runway show, the Elyse shoe embodies the brand’s signature dualities: masculine and feminine, classic and sporty, timeless yet contemporary. This versatile style has garnered a celebrity following, with fans including Kendall Jenner, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Gigi Hadid, Oprah, and Viola Davis. Innovative iterations have continued to evolve, such as a collaboration with Veuve Clicquot that introduced Elyse sandals made from grape-based vegan materials sourced from the champagne maker’s by-products, and a wedge utilizing repurposed corks.
The Elyse’s Derby upper is laser-cut for precision, offering a sleek, minimalistic look. Its FSC-certified beech wood platform stands at 80mm, providing a sturdy yet lightweight base perfect for both tailored and casual outfits. The use of animal-free, water-based glues underscores the brand’s dedication to quality and ethics, with each shoe undergoing rigorous quality control by skilled artisans in Italy.
Pre-order the limited-edition Elyse capsule starting August 5th at Stella McCartney boutiques worldwide and online at stellamccartney.com.
