Stella McCartney is a beast (and I mean that as the ultimate compliment). Even before she was heralded as fashion's latest "it" girl, back when she was doing her thing at Chloe, I loved her work. Sure, she already had the support of her fancy-shmancy friends (Kate Moss, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Hudson, etc.), so it's not like she needed little ol' me to cheer her on, but from the very beginning, I knew this gal had what's so lacking nowadays (whether it be in art, film, fashion, business or just life): vision. And over the years, she's made mama proud. Her collections? Superb. Her H&M line? Genius. Her fragrances? Intoxicating. Her skincare line? Fantastic and ingenious. Her new lingerie line with Boden? Exquisite. Nepotism be damned: this girl could've been McGruff the Crime Dog's daughter and still have caught the fashion world by storm.
So it's no surprise that her latest collection for Adidas (who she has been working with since 2004) is simply stunning. The 2008 Adidas by Stella McCartney collection, which includes footwear and apparel suitable for winter sports, yoga, running, dance, golf and tennis, fuses function and style with incredible ease and grace. Never one to play it safe, Stella adds a playful energy to all of the pieces. The fuchsia Golf Polo Core pictured above, for example, features climalite to draw moisture away from skin (so you won't be a sweaty, nasty mess and you trek through the golf course) and is therefore meant to provide the comfort necessary to maximize your performance, but it also features some adorable details: from the bubble sleeves to the front pleats and the rounded collar, this shirt will make you feel like you're scoring a hole-in-one even when you're not Tiger Woods-ing it. Or check out the rubia grey Tennis Print Dress, which combines a traditional silhouette (the racerback tank top) with an '80s-inspired look (the layered bubble skirt) and a modern three flock print application.
But my absolute favorite is the Run Performance Jacket in alker blue, which features ClimaProof Storm technology for maximum breathability, wind/rain resistance and a convenient hood that can zipped inside the collar. Wile this piece will definitely make your jogging, sprinting or cross-country runs more pleasant experiences, it's also beyond fashion-forward. Just look at how the sleeves are tailored to create a subtle bubble effect through the usage of elastic along the wrists (which is itself designed so that you can slide your thumb into the little opening and create a bit of a fingerless glove effect). And notice the rouching along the shoulder area and how the black stitching adds a modern twist to the piece. Frankly, it's so cute it makes me want to start running — and that, my friends, says it all, as I have a pretty strict I-only-run-when-chased philosophy. See, Stella might just get me back in my own groove!
The Adidas by Stella McCartney Fall/Winter 2008 collection hits stores this month. And, if you're in Los Angeles, San Francisco or New York, make sure to visit the Adidas Sports Performance store on the 15th and 16th (that's Friday and Saturday) for a special in-store styling event. Customers with purchases of over $275 will receive a limited-edition shrink-wrap tee as an exclusive gift.
All pieces by Adidas by Stella McCartney. Tennis Print Dress, $120. Golf Polo Core, $90. Run Performance Jacket, $300. Available at Adidas Sports Performance stores in NYC, LA and San Francisco and at ShopAdidas.com
