New Gia Coppola-directed short film featuring the designer’s Winter collection places the spotlight on equine welfare.
Kylie Jenner modeling Stella McCartneys Winter collection ‘Wild Horses’. Credit: Gia Coppola/ Stella McCartney
Eco-conscious fashion designer Stella McCartney has debuted a new short film starring Kylie Jenner, directed by Gia Coppola. Titled ‘Wild Horses’, the campaign features the designer’s Winter 2026 collection and supports global equine welfare charities.
McCartney described the short film, filmed on the beach in front of the Pacific Ocean, as “an ode to the power, sensitivity and freedom of the horse.” Director Gia Coppola is known for her work on The Last Showgirl, starring Pamela Anderson and Jamie Lee Curtis. The collection wardrobe includes faux fur, riding boots, and tops in lace and chainmail. The designer’s new Appaloosa bag, which she has said was inspired by Lucky Spot, a horse owned by her late mother Linda McCartney (a fellow legendary animal rights activist). Like all Stella McCartney designs, the bag is free from any animal leathers, and is instead made from vegan suede.
“The majesty and magnificence, the strength, the pride, the beauty, the delicacy, the healing and the love that horses give – this collection is deeply inspired by these incredible creatures and our relationship with them as humans,” said McCartney on Instagram.
Representatives from the American Humane Society were on set to monitor the well-being of the horses, and a donation was made to support charities that work with equine welfare.
Kylie Jenner modeling Stella McCartneys Winter collection ‘Wild Horses’ Appaloosa Bag. Credit: Gia Coppola/ Stella McCartney
McCartney’s love of horses is often documented in her collections and the staging of her runway shows: her Winter 2023 showcase at L’Ècole Militaire in Paris featured live horses and equestrian choreography. Horse-themed motifs are also often a source of influence for her collection, especially the Appaloosa jacquards inspired by the horses her family raised in Scotland. “This campaign is born out of a very heartfelt and deep, historical love of horses. I was brought up riding horses, even when I was in my mum’s womb, riding her own Appaloosa stallion across the hills of Scotland,” continued McCartney on Instagram.
A fur- feather- and leather-free designer since she started her brand, Stella McCartney has also spoken out against the rounding up of wild horses, a practice done under the guise of “population control” to minimize competition for resources with commercial livestock. Aside from being highly stressful for the animals, the round-ups often see horses separated from their families and confined in holding facilities. “To see thousands of wild horses being rounded up, taken from their families and denied their birthright really pains me,” said McCartney. These innocent animals deserve our respect and protection. I wanted to use this project to reach a new generation, to educate, inform and give them a voice.”
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