Patents on the soles of your shoes...: Stella McCartney

Showing posts with label Stella McCartney. Show all posts

Sunday, November 14, 2021

COP 26 - Stella McCartney's technology-powered sustainable fungi fashion

Early October 2021, Stella McCartney took the runways of the Paris Fashion Week by storm with a Spring 2022 collection, celebrating sustainable mycelium fashion (Friedman, Oct. 5, 2021), aka patented recombinant mushroom technologies. Scroll forward to COP26 in Glasgow UK, and the hottest cruelty-free House of British fashion was also present, exhibiting: The Future of Fashion. A showcase of fashion innovation powered with such sustainable patented technologies as Mylo™ leather and Microsilk™ (Mitchie, 2021). An exhibit that brought together the fashion industry, responsible for an estimated 18% of GHG, into sharp focus.

Indeed, lab-grown mycellium and silk thread technologies have a much smaller carbon footprint. A smaller footprint compared to the millions of animals in cattle ranching, whose hides are used to manufacture shoes, accessories and apparel; or compared to the use of silkworms, and the impossible use of spiders. More deeply, however, lab-grown Mylo™ leather and Microsilk™ are 100% cruelty-free, the hallmark of Stella McCartney fashion (Stella McCartney). A truly synergistic hallmark that brings together climate change, sustainability, ethical treatment of animals, and the best of the fashion world, all under a single banner.

The fashion industry’s commitment “to net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 in line with keeping global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius”, consistent with the provisions of the UNFCCC(1) 2015 Paris Agreement, was initially set forth in the UNFCCC 2018 Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action, launched during COP24 in Katowice, Poland. However, as Stella McCartney pointed out in an interview on Nov 4^th2021 with CNN, the fashion industry is “the most unfashionable” in terms of sustainability, as it still lags far behind with no regulations in sight for monitoring emissions, setting deadlines, implementing accountability, or for supplying incentives for change.

A viewpoint that appears largely shared by other fashion industry leaders, since according to Vogue, the COP26 Fashion Charter event resulted not only in additional signatories to the existing group of 130 brands(2), but also a renewed commitment to more concrete, more ambitious, and much stronger action in view of achieving the goals set forth in the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate action (Chan, 2021). Tighter control, such as phasing out coal from tiers one and two suppliers by 2030, and no new coal by 2050, or requiring brands to submit plans for climate action. A COP26 takeaway in the form of an amended UNFCCC Fashion Charter for Climate Action, considering that, according to The Global Fashion Agenda the Fashion industry’s emissions, at their current pace, are set to rise to 2.7 billion tons by 2030, which is double the amount required to keep climate warming below the 1.5 degrees (Fashion on Climate Report, 2020).

The patented technologies driving Stella McCartney's Future of Fashion include Mylo™ leather, and Microsilk™, both produced by the California Bay Area company Bolt Threads. Leather that meets the Stella McCartney criteria of “ cruelty-free alternatives that look and feel luxurious and have [in this case] an environmental impact that is up to 24 times lower than animal leathers.[ilalics mine]" (Stella McCartney). Likewise, Microsilk™ is a vegan product, made entirely from yeast, sugar and DNA, with high tensile strength, softness, elasticity and durabulity, fabricated using green chemistry practices to minimize the environmental footprint.

Indeed, according to Stella McCartney, there are no sacrifices in The Future of Fashion. Quite the contrary, when technology, ethics and sustainability are synched, The Future of Fashion is invigorated, and more stunning than ever, as evidenced in the included clip of the Stella McCartney Spring 2022 show (Cohn, 2021).

Imagine now what might happen, considering that the fashion Houses of Louis Vuitton, Dior, Givenchy, Celine, Loewe, Fendi, Marc Jacobs, and the like of luxury and prestige, belonging to the LVMH group, are all on board (i.e.; signatories) for climate action!

Notes

(1) UNFCCC - United Nations Framework on Climate Change Convention. (UN on Climate Change)

(2) The LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton) conglomerate which groups 75 luxury Houses such as Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Givenchy, Kenzo and Fendi signed on to the Charter.

References

Bolt threads https://boltthreads.com/

Chan, E. (Nov. 9, 2021). How fashion is ramping up its climate effort at COP26. Vogue.

https://www.vogue.com/article/cop26-un-fashion-charter-climate-change-efforts

Climate Change Tracker https://climateactiontracker.org/

CNN Interview (Nov. 4, 2021) - Stella McCartney: Fashion industry is the most unfashionable for sustainability.

https://www.cnn.com/videos/style/2021/11/04/stella-mccartney-sustainable-fashion-cop26-nobilo-tgb-intl-hnk-vpx.cnn

Cohn, A. (May 14, 2021). The future of fashion is Fungi- Harper’s Bazaar.
https://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/designers/a36182113/fashion-designers-fungi/

COP26 – The future of Fashion – Stella McCartney.
https://fashionunited.uk/news/fashion/stella-mccartney-unveils-future-of-fashion-exhibition-at-cop26/2021110358986

Fashion on climate (Aug. 27, 2020). Report by the Global Fashion Agenda.
http://www2.globalfashionagenda.com/initiatives/fashion-on-climate/#/

Friedman, V. (Oct. 5, 2021). Stella McCartney does mushrooms in Paris. Maison Margiela and Chanel practice sustainability of a different kind. NYTimes.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/05/style/stella-mccartney-mushrooms.html

Global Fashion Agenda https://www2.globalfashionagenda.com/

LVMH (website) https://www.lvmh.com/

Mitchie, N. (Nov. 4, 2021). Stella McCartney imagines a nature-positive fashion industry in COP26 exhibit. Fashion Magazine. https://fashionmagazine.com/events/stella-mccartney-cop26-exhibit/

Paton, E. (Oct, 2, 2020). Fungus may be be the hottest fashion trend. NYTImes.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/02/fashion/mylo-mushroom

Stella McCartney (website) Sustainability.

https://www.stellamccartney.com/us/en/sustainability/sustainability.html

United Nations on Climate Change https://www.un.org/climatechange

UNFCCC – Fashion industry Charter (launched at COP24 Katowice, Poland).
https://unfccc.int/climate-action/sectoral-engagement/global-climate-action-in-fashion/about-the-fashion-industry-charter-for-climate-action

UNFCCC 2015 Paris Agreement https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement/the-paris-agreement

Sunday, August 29, 2021

Oh, patents! Stella McCartney® L.I.l.Y perfume bottle

Françoise © Herrmann

The fabulous Stella McCartney® L.I.L.Y perfume bottle is patented. Assigned to Stella McCartney Ltd., the US design patent USD710207S , titled Bottle, was awarded on August 5, 2014. Launched in 2012, L.I.L.Y is the second Stella McCartney® fragrance.

The name of the fragrance L.I.L.Y is actually an acronym for the nickname "Linda, I Love You" that Stella McCartney’s dad, the famous ex-Beatle singer, and musician, Paul McCartney used for her Mom, Linda McCartney. The fragrance also has delicate Lily of the Valley floral accents.

The Art Deco style bottle is made of crystal with a metal frame. The second Stella McCartney® fragrance, L.I.L.Y, was created by the Master Perfumer of the House of Louis Vuitton, Jacques Cavalier. Famous, fourth-generation perfumer, hailing from Grasse, known as the capital of perfume, in the South of France, also the designer of the first Stella McCartney® fragrance 'Stella'.

Below, the patent Figure 1, depicting a front, left side perspective of the bottle, and an image of the marketed Stella McCartney® L.I.L.Y eau de parfum.

References

Stella McCartney (website) https://www.stellamccartney.com/us/en/

Saturday, August 28, 2021

Oh, patents! Stella McCartney® Nude-illusion dress (4)

The sleeveless sheath dress version of the popular Stella McCartney® nude-illusion dresses was patented in the United States. The US design patent USD739995S, titled Dress, assigned to Stella McCartney Ltd., was awarded on Oct. 6, 2015.

Below, the Figure 1 drawing of the dress, extracted from the patent, together with an image of a model wearing a marketed embodiment of the dress (no pun intended). Using horizontal lines on the side areas of the figure drawing, the patent specifies the contrasting colors of the front and side panels, which then might be cleverly selected to create a nude-illusion effect.

Reference

Stella McCartney® (website) https://www.stellamccartney.com/

Sunday, August 22, 2021

Oh, patents! Stella McCartney vegan Falabella bag

Celebrated for their bold, trendsetting, 100% cruelty-free, vegan fashion designs, the stunning Stella McCartney® handbags are a highlight of the Stella McCartney® collections. The Stella McCartney® Falabella bag, made of vegan leather, with whipstitched chain trim and slouchy body, is one such iconic ethical product, produced in many different sizes and models.

The Falabella chain trim is the part of the bag actually patented. Specifically, three US design patents have been assigned to Stella McCartney Ltd., for the whipstitched Falabella bag chain trim:

USD646894S titled Chain trim detail for handbags and the like
USD654691S titled Chain trim detail for handbags and the like
USD706540S titled Handbag with chain trim

The Figure1, appearing below, was extracted from the US design patent USD706540S. The broken lines of the chain trim indicate that the chain can be of various lengths, whereas the breaks on the horizontal bottom and top whipstitched edge indicate that the bag can have varying widths. The dotted outline of the bag indicates that the shape of the bag is unclaimed. In fact, the patent specifies that “the handbag is depicted for environment purposes only". Images of two marketed embodiments of the Falabella bag are also included, in particular, a large blue Falabella tote with silver chain, and a mini Falabella tote with gold chain trim.

Reference

Stella McCartney (website) https://www.stellamccartney.com/

Friday, August 20, 2021

Oh, patents! Stella by Stella McCartney®

Stella by Stella McCartney® was the first Stella McCartney® perfume created. The floral fragrance(1) was released in 2003, and then discontinued. In 2014, the Stella by Stella McCartney eau de parfum was relaunched.

Interestingly, both the packaging, and the flask, for the 2014 Stella by Stella McCartney® eau de parfum were patented. Specifically, the US design patent USD538675S, titled Perfume bottle, assigned to Stella McCartney Perfumes (FR), was awarded on March 20, 2007, whereas the US design patent USD774906S, titled Packaging, assigned to Stella McCartney Ltd., was awarded on December 27, 2016.

Below, two patent Figures 1, extracted from each of the design disclosures, respectively for the flask and packaging of the Stella by Stella MacCartney® eau de parfum, together with an image of the marketed perfume bottle and its packaging.

---------------

Note

(1) The perfume was created by Jacques Cavalier, Master Perfumer for the House of Louis Vuitton. Fourth-generation perfumer, haling from Grasse, main perfume-producing southern city of France, Cavalier is the “nose” behind dozens of best-selling perfumes, including Van Cleef & Arpels Murmure, Yves Saint Laurent Opium Pour Homme (1995), Nu (2001), M7 (2002), and Rive Gauche pour Homme (2003), Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gio pour homme (1996), Christian Dior Midnight Poison (2007), Givenchy Hot Couture (2000), Carolina Herrera Chic (2002), Calvin Klein Eternity Moment (2004), plus many more (Fragrantica).

References

Stella McCartney Inc. https://www.stellamccartney.com

Fragrantica - https://www.fragrantica.com/noses/Jacques_Cavallier.html

Sunday, August 15, 2021

Oh, patents! Stella McCartney® Nude-illusion jumpsuit

Copyright © Françoise Herrmann

For anyone who prefers evening jumpsuits, a Stella McCartney® nude-illusion party jumpsuit was also patented. The US design patent USD693092S, titled Garment, assigned to Stella McCartney Ltd., was awarded on November 12, 2013. The patented design includes polka dot mesh side panels, running from top to bottom, the sleeves, and a front panel, on the top part of the jumpsuit.

Below, the patent data page figures, showing front and side views of the patented nude-illusion jumpsuit design, together with a runway model, wearing an embodiment (no pun intended) of the nude-illusion design. Notice anew, the dotted lines on the patent drawings, separating those parts of the design, which are protected by the patent, from those parts which are excluded. Again, only the polka-dot mesh areas, providing the illusion of nudity, are patented.

Reference

Stella McCartney (website) https://www.stellamccartney.com/

Saturday, August 14, 2021

Oh, patents! Stella McCartney® Nude-illusion dress (3)

This Stella McCartney Ltd., design of the nude-illusion dress, with sheer, polka dot mesh, side panels, sleeves and mock-up neckline was also selectively patented in the United States. The US design patent, USD770128S, titled Dress, assigned to Stella MacCArtney Ltd., was awarded on November 1, 2016.

The extracted patent Figure 1 is included below, together with an image of a runway model, wearing this version of the nude-illusion dress with sheer panels running also under the sleeve. Notice the dotted lines on the patent Figure 1 drawing, excluding those parts of the design which are unclaimed. Thus, only the sheer side panels creating the nude-illusion are in fact patented, while the mock neckline, front and back of the dress, and sleeves are in fact excluded from the inventive design.

Reference

Stella MacCartney (website) https://www.stellamccartney.com/

Monday, August 9, 2021

Oh, patents! Stella McCartney® Nude-illusion dress (2)

Another version of the Stella McCartney® nude-illusion dress, with a sheer mesh panel on just one side of the dress, and large polka dots, was awarded the US design patent USD702923S1, titled Dress, on April 22, 2014. Notice anew, the dotted lines on the patent Figures 1 and 2 (below), showing those unclaimed parts of the invention. Thus, only the polka-dot sheer mesh side paneling, supporting the illusion of nudity, is in fact patented.

Below, Figures 1 and 2, extracted from the patent, depicting front and side views of the design, together with a model, wearing a marketed embodiment (no pun intended) of the patented design, posing side, front, and rear views of the Stella McCartney ® nude-illusion dress.

Reference

Stella McCartney https://www.stellamccartney.com/

Sunday, August 8, 2021

Oh, patents! Stella McCartney® Nude-illusion dress (1)

Award-winning and cruelty-free advocate, British fashion designer Stella McCartney has received more than one of the most distinguished accolades of the fashion industry. Daughter of the famous, former Beatles, singer, song writer and musician Sir Paul McCartney, and of the deceased, animal rights activist and photographer, Linda McCartney, her awards include Designer of the Year, according to Vogue (2000), Glamour (2004), Elle (2007), British Vogue (2007) and Vogue Spain (2008) ; the Organic Style Award in 2005 for eschewing fur and leather in all her collections, and Green Designer of the Year, in 2008, at the Accessories Council Excellence Awards for her vegan fashion designs. Perhaps, the most outstanding honor includes an Officer of the Order of the British Empire Medal, in 2013, awarded by the British Queen to both men and women, who have had a vast impact in their professions.

Among many famous pieces of the Stella McCartney® fashion collections, various models of the nude-illusion sheath dress, are patented inventions, assigned to Stella McCartney Ltd.

The below model of the nude-illusion sheath dress, with sheer polka-dot mesh panels, was awarded the US design patent USD674993S1, titled Dress, on January 29, 2013. Notice the dotted lines on the Figure 1 drawing, depicting those parts of the invention that are unclaimed. Thus, only the design of the sheer polka-dot mesh panels, supporting the nude illusion, is in fact patented.

The patent Figure 1, showing the front of the dress is included below, together with a runway model, wearing a marketed embodiment of the invention.