The First Decade of the Iconic Vegan Footwear is Celebrated with a new Capsule and Campaign
Stella McCartney’s Elyse shoe is celebrating its 10th anniversary, marking a significant milestone in the designer’s continuing practice of cruelty-free fashion. To commemorate a decade of the Elyse, the British luxury brand has launched a limited-edition capsule featuring monochromatic styles in tonal black, red, white, and adorned with lead-free crystals.
The anniversary campaign for the Elyse was shot at London’s Kew Gardens, set against the backdrop of the ‘Light into Life’ exhibition by British artist Marc Quinn. The exhibition celebrates the relationship between sunlight and plants as essential to life on Earth, echoing McCartney’s commitment to sustainable fashion. The Elyse shoe aligns with this vision by using plant-based and cruelty-free materials to minimize environmental impact.
The fashion industry is responsible for the deaths of over 1 billion animals annually for leather production, according to PETA. Furthermore, animal agriculture, a key source of leather, contributes to 80% of deforestation in the Amazon rainforest (WWF). Stella McCartney has consistently avoided using leather, feathers, fur, or skins in her designs, reinforcing her dedication to ethical fashion practices.
The Elyse combines the upper design of a men’s Derby shoe with a feminine, fashion-forward platform silhouette. It features an FSC-certified wooden wedge and a saw-edged micro-sole, reflecting the brand’s focus on sustainability. Each pair is handcrafted in Italy from 100% cruelty-free materials and is vegan-friendly, including the glue used.
First introduced at the Stella McCartney Winter 2014 runway show, the Elyse quickly became a brand signature and has been a favorite among celebrities such as Kendall Jenner, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Gigi Hadid, Oprah, and Viola Davis. Recent innovative iterations include a collaboration with Veuve Clicquot, featuring Elyse sandals made from grape-based vegan materials sourced from champagne production byproducts and a wedge utilizing repurposed corks.
The Elyse’s design is characterized by its sleek Derby upper, laser-cut for a precise aesthetic. The 80mm FSC-certified beech wood wedge is both sturdy and lightweight, suitable for enhancing tailored and casual outfits alike. The shoe’s construction involves water-based, animal-free glues, with quality control overseen by skilled artisans in Italy.
The limited-edition Elyse capsule is available for pre-order at Stella McCartney boutiques worldwide and on stellamccartney.com starting August 5th.
