Stella McCartney's Stella Ryder bag is also a favorite of Shiv Roy from "Succession"

Is it possible to combine elegance and ethics? According to Stella McCartney, the answer is yes. The brand and its founder demonstrate that luxury does not need to compromise on ethics, sustainability, or desirability. Season after season, they continually explore plant-based and regenerative alternatives that do not harm animals and respect the environment, all without sacrificing the design of their creations. The result is an aesthetic of quiet luxury and a timeless approach to fashion. One example is the SS25 collection, presented in Paris to an enthusiastic audience, including Natalie Portman and Greta Gerwig, with pieces like pleated dresses, soft-toned suits, and trench coats that stole the show, alongside chic accessories that even overshadowed the season’s trendiest item, The Row’s Margaux bag. Among these new accessories is the standout Stella Ryder bag, the latest "it bag" by Stella McCartney.

The New Stella Ryder Bag: Elegance Meets Ethics

Introduced as part of SAVE WHAT YOU, the SS25 collection that explores the relationship between people and wildlife, focusing on birds, the Stella Ryder is poised to become the brand’s new vegan icon, replacing the well-known Falabella. Available in various sizes, from micro-mini to spacious weekend bags, and in colors like black, brandy, and camel, this must-have accessory features a cupid bow clasp, bowling-style handles, and a structured square base. Its silhouette is inspired by the shape of a horse’s nape and back, a passion of Stella McCartney and her family. To create this unique design, each bag is hand-sculpted in Italy using a curved wooden mold. Upholding the brand’s sustainable and cruelty-free ethics, no animal-based products are used in the process, not even in the adhesive. The Stella Ryder’s finishes and handles are made from VEGEA, a grape-based material, while the stitching and lining are crafted from organic hemp, a naturally sustainable plant fiber. The finishing touch is the hardware: a hand-placed brass lock. Stella Ryder is already available for pre-order on McCartney’s website.

Sarah Snook Stars in the Stella Ryder Campaign

Stella McCartney chose Sarah Snook as the face of the Stella Ryder campaign. Who better than the actress who brought Succession’s Shiv Roy to life— a symbol of quiet luxury and sleek chic—to embody the ethical luxury of this new bag? McCartney, who saw The Picture of Dorian Gray in London’s West End, fell in love with the Australian actress’s performance and decided to collaborate with Snook. She was photographed in her native Australia with the Stella Ryder by her side, alongside a horse, the animal that inspired the bag. In the campaign images, the star appears in a total-black outfit, pairing a maxi blazer over the iconic Miracle Dress, launched in the FW11 season. When asked about her connection to horses, Snook revealed that her favorite childhood book, The Silver Brumby, was a story about a horse running free in the hills. She added, “I love horses. I think they’re such glorious, beautiful, elegant animals. They’ve got so much power and strength and yet softness and femininity.” She further noted the importance of connecting with animals and the planet, saying, “that’s ultimately what’s going to help guide us to protecting them for future generations. We can’t really be so narcissistic and individualistic to think that we’re going to survive without some kind of community with what’s going on around us – with our environment and with animals. We are animals as well!”.