With all of the above grasped firmly in the petite palm of her hand, is it any wonder that Stella McCartney's star is rising high and mighty on the horizon.

Born with a proverbial golden spoon in her mouth (as Sir Paul McCarney's daughter) naturally meant cherished morning rides on an 1100-acre Scotland estate (her current lifestyle is almost a mirror image of this idyllic childhood scenario, replete with a Georgian country house, miles of inviting greens and a spirited horse - 'Flo Jo'- to boot), but it did not deter from a surging urgency to be someone in her own right, on her own merit. Mom Linda's inherent chic style influenced Stella's career choice to a great extent. "She knew how to mix and match clothes, her style reflected her personality, she was really true to that….Her mix of Tommy Nutter (revolutionary dressmaker from London's couture style, men's tailoring district, Savile Row) bespoke suits with Vintage 40s print dresses" is a time tested mélange that presents itself in most Stella McCartney originals today. "It has been a continuous thread throughout my work; there is always a place for masculine tailoring in my collections. I like that slightly oversize, slouchy contrast that it brings with more feminine, delicate fabrics."

This seemingly incongruous marriage of sensibilities probably stems from her own womanly dictates (inspired by the voluminous selections of cashmeres and chiffons in her treasure chest closet drawers and a love for "the era of Gone With The Wind") coupled with an internship at Savile Row that left its indelible mark on her cutting and finishing style.

For the rest of the article, pick up VERVE’s January-February, 2005 issue