PARIS — Soon Sir Paul McCartney will be able to wear the clothes of his favorite designer: his daughter.
Stella McCartney — who once honed her skills working for Edward Sexton, her father’s Savile Row tailor — is to extend her brand into men’s wear, WWD has learned.
It is understood the London-based designer is readying her first collection for the spring 2017 season.
Given her global recognition, and a vibrant market for men’s wear, the category could represent a rich expansion vein for McCartney, whose last big category launch was a children’s wear label in 2010, which followed a test drive of two collections with Gap Kids.
Her fortes — slouchy tailoring, comfortable knits and effortless separates — could translate easily into men’s wear, which has become increasingly casual.
Contacted by WWD, a spokesman for the designer had no comment.
McCartney has focused on the women’s universe since she launched her fashion house in 2001 as a joint venture with Kering, then PPR. Her collections include ready-to-wear, accessories, lingerie, eyewear, fragrance and kids’ wear.
It is understood the men’s wear volley is one of several major initiatives McCartney has in the pipeline this year.
Women’s wear brands that have ramped up men’s wear in recent years include Marni, Balmain and Carven.
A lifelong vegetarian, McCartney does not use any leather or fur in her designs, which could be challenging at a time when shearling coats and leather jackets are extremely popular among men.
By contrast, her brand’s devotion to sustainability — a passion she shares with Kering chairman and chief executive officer François-Henri Pinault — could be a strong and unique selling point to a male audience.
McCartney stages her women’s wear shows in Paris and could opt for the French capital for her men’s debut, given the strength of its fashion week, anchored by such brands as Louis Vuitton, Dior Homme, Saint Laurent, Paul Smith, Valentino, Raf Simons and Dries Van Noten.
Business seems to be humming at the company, which posted double-digit increases in U.K. profits and sales for the 2014 fiscal year, the most recent available. Companies House, the official register of U.K. businesses, shows that sales were up 11.2 percent to 31.6 million pounds, or $49.9 million. The results only give a partial picture of the company, encompassing only to the U.K. business and worldwide licensing revenue.
McCartney, who does a range of athleticwear for Adidas, is to be in the spotlight at the Rio Olympics this summer, having signed up again as creative director for the Team GB official kit by the German brand, which British athletes will wear during the Games. She designed the British team’s clothing for the London 2012 Olympics, with replicas that were touted by Adidas as the most successful Olympic range ever.
Last year McCartney marked the 10th anniversary of the Adidas by Stella McCartney line, which she marked by introducing Adidas StellaSport, an athleisure range aimed at a younger audience and meant to be worn to the gym and on the streets.