Customarily, using non-traditional models, i.e., real people, is a bad idea in fashion displays, but it worked like a dream in Tuesday Sept. 16's presentation of Stella McCartney's latest, and rather wonderful, collection of workout clothes shown mostly on a team of the UK's top gymnasts...
"Just because women are sweaty and pounding away in a gym, does not mean they have to look bad. I think most of us still want to look the best we can," opined Stella, who caused a storm of paparazzi pandemonium as she strolled around the mock South London gym where Team Great Britain's Olympic gymnasts road-tested McCartney's gear.
The designer took her tour following a 15-minute display by athletes and the odd model, all of them wearing the Spring 2009 collection entitled "adidas by Stella McCartney," her highly successful linkup with the German active sportswear giant.
Most spectacularly, two female athletes soared 16 feet into the air, surging up from a professional trampoline, as underneath them several hundred buyers and editors strolled about. The theme of the BBC's old Saturday afternoon sports-show "Grandstand" boomed out of the speakers.
In the right corner, women from the British Rope Skipping Association went through visually boggling bounces and prances; in the left, Olympians Beth Tweedie and Becky Downie did their stuff on the balance beam.
The collection featured lots of Olympic ring detailing on honed body suits. Almost dainty Edwardian petticoat ruffles, mountaineering gear detailing and lots of performance related mesh inserts all made for a collection that looked functional and professional. Made in soft shades of orange, rose and violet and infused with Atlantic sailing ideas and finish, the collection looked great. Best of all, the women in McCartney's gear remained attractive despite the sweaty atmosphere.
McCartney is currently enjoying a new fitness course under the tutorship of Tracy Anderson, the American personal trainer to Madonna. The designer is so influenced by Anderson she has named her the new personal trainer for "adidas by Stella McCartney." The line will retail globally in 600 stores by next February.
photos courtesy of Fahion Wire Daily
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