Stella McCartney has often spoken out against the use of furs and animal products in fashion, with the designer leading the way with her own vegan fashion line.
Then, due to stylist error, a Stella McCartney bra was used in a Hockley Furs, advertising image where a model is wearing the Eve Giggling padded bra under a £6,450 full-length mink black and white ‘Atlas’ coat.
And Stella is said to be furious, even threatening legal action against Hockley.
‘Stella went absolutely ballistic when she saw it,’ a source at Ms McCartney’s store in Mayfair told The Mail on Sunday. ‘I have never seen her so angry. She hit the roof and said that she planned to sue. She allows her accessories to be lent to shoots all the time, but she would never ever allow anything of hers to go to a fashion house that deals exclusively with fur.
‘If Stella knew it was going to be used by Hockley there is no way she would have lent it. It was loaned to a stylist in good faith, but when Stella saw the picture she was furious. She said: “It goes against everything I stand for.” She didn’t see any proofs, she just saw the campaign. It’s a monumental cock-up. Stella is disgusted.’
Hockley Furs, London’s biggest furrier and subject of many PETA protests, issued a “groveling” apology saying: ‘Hockley is aware of Stella McCartney’s views and is respectful of them. This was an unfortunate mistake and Hockley would not intentionally make anyone feel uncomfortable. Hockley both requested and was told that the item was a vintage piece and apologises for any embarrassment caused to Stella McCartney. It is not Hockley’s intention to use the image again.’
The advertisement came to Stella’s attention in British Vogue’s September 2008 issue, where Hockley had booked a full page advertisement which would have set them back at least £26,400.
According to The Mail, the mix-up occurred when a fashion stylist borrowed some samples from her collection.
‘The stylist made a mistake and used it in an advertising campaign instead, under a fur coat, without telling Stella McCartney or seeking her approval,’ a source said. ‘When the magazine came out Stella was obviously very disappointed as it goes against her beliefs.’
Hockley has said that it will not use the offending ad again.
Do you think Stella is making a huge fuss over the use of her bra, or is just protecting what her brand stands for?
Her own “Vegan Fashion Line” includes this silk bra that is made by boiling silk worms alive. That isn’t very animal friendly if you ask me.
http://tinyurl.com/StellaBra