In a year where compassion and sustainability took center stage in the fashion world, one designer stands out for her long-standing commitment to animal rights and eco-conscious fashion: Stella McCartney. This visionary designer has now earned the prestigious title of PETA’s 2024 Person of the Year—a well-deserved honor celebrating her relentless dedication to cruelty-free fashion.
A Visionary in Compassionate Fashion
Stella McCartney is not only a renowned designer, hailed by Glamour, Elle, and the British Style Awards, but she is also a cultural icon and the first daughter of rock ‘n’ roll, thanks to her famous father, Paul McCartney. But McCartney’s legacy extends far beyond her lineage—she has carved out a trailblazing path in the fashion industry, one that combines luxury with ethics. Since her early days in the industry, McCartney has been resolutely dedicated to cruelty-free fashion, making the conscious decision to exclude fur, feathers, leather, and wild-animal skins from her collections.
Her commitment to compassionate fashion has only grown stronger over time. With the recent launch of her Winter 2024 campaign, “It’s About Fucking Time to End Leather,” McCartney continues to challenge the fashion industry’s use of animal products, sending a clear message that it’s time for change. Her statement is not just one of style, but of substance—a call for a more ethical approach to fashion that no longer exploits animals for their skins, feathers, or fur.
A Bold Statement for Change
McCartney’s famous slogan “It’s About Fucking Time” is not new—it first appeared on a custom shirt worn by the designer in 1999 at her father’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. But in 2024, McCartney has repurposed this historic phrase to demand the fashion industry stop its cruel practices, specifically calling for an end to leather, feathers, fur, and the use of wild-animal skins. She kicked off this campaign in style during New York Fashion Week, enlisting PETA supporters and actor Caylee Cowan to pose nude in the window of her flagship SoHo store, holding signs proclaiming, “No Leather Ever!” The bold statement made it clear: McCartney is not afraid to use her platform to push for real change.
Sewing Kindness for Animals
Stella McCartney’s designs are known for their luxurious, sustainable, and vegan materials, offering a sophisticated alternative to traditional fashion that harms animals. But her influence goes beyond the clothing she creates; McCartney has consistently advocated for the rights of animals who are exploited by the fashion industry for their fur, leather, feathers, and skins. Her message is clear: animals are sentient beings capable of forming bonds, feeling pain, and experiencing fear. For instance, cows form lifelong friendships and can hold grudges; geese are protective of their families; and minks can swim up to 50 feet underwater in a single breath. Yet, despite their complex emotional lives, they are subjected to cruel and inhumane treatment at the hands of the fashion industry.
McCartney’s commitment to animal-friendly fashion helps spare these sensitive creatures from violent and painful deaths—such as electrocution, strangulation, and throat-slitting. By using innovative and sustainable materials, McCartney ensures that luxury fashion doesn’t come at the expense of animal lives.
A Legacy of Activism
For McCartney, being named PETA’s Person of the Year is not just an honor, but a continuation of a lifelong commitment to animal rights. She reflected on her family’s influence on shaping her values, saying, “PETA and my parents collaborated to shape what animal rights are today, which is why I feel so honored and privileged to be named Person of the Year.” From her childhood activism, including a 1998 video calling to ban fur farms in the UK, to her recent 2024 pledge for a feather-free fashion industry, McCartney has always been at the forefront of advocating for those who cannot speak for themselves.
“I have felt connected and committed to this courageous, rebellious, kick-ass movement since I was very young,” she says. “I feel so proud to have a team around me who also see the importance in raising awareness not only for animal rights but human rights and our planet as well. I look forward to continuing our mission with PETA—giving a voice to the voiceless and, I hope, ending animal suffering once and for all.”
Join the Movement: Pledge to Go Leather and Feather-Free
Stella McCartney’s work is not only changing the fashion world but inspiring countless others to rethink the impact of their choices. As part of her campaign, McCartney is encouraging everyone to take the “No Leather Ever” pledge, committing to a leather- and feather-free lifestyle in order to spare animals from harm. PETA is calling on supporters everywhere to join the movement and help bring an end to the exploitation of animals in fashion.
Through her commitment to animal rights, sustainability, and cruelty-free fashion, McCartney continues to be a trailblazer in the fashion industry. Her recognition as PETA’s 2024 Person of the Year is a testament to the power of compassionate fashion—proving that style doesn’t have to come at the expense of ethics. It’s a stellar celebration of a visionary designer who’s dedicated her career to making the world a kinder place for both animals and people alike.