Trends Come and Go but Sustainability Is Forever

A lot can change in fashion in a year—tiny sunglasses can give way to ’70s bifocals, square-toed shoes can become the new flatform, and ethical fashion house Stella McCartney can seamlessly jump from one French luxury giant to its rival.

LVMH, the world’s largest luxury group by revenue, has paid an undisclosed amount for a minority stake in designer Stella McCartney’s namesake brand. It joins Dior, Celine, and more in LVMH’s wide-ranging portfolio.

• Why that’s a big deal: About 16 months ago, McCartney confirmed her 17-year, 50/50 venture with LVMH rival Kering was ending as the group embarked on a portfolio restructuring.

For LVMH, McCartney brings serious sustainability cred. The lifelong vegetarian’s brand doesn’t use leather or fur, and McCartney’s focus on ethical fashion has become almost as recognizable as her father’s band.

And luxury fashion’s favorite synonym for “sustainable” is “$$$.” Lyst reported a 47% increase in searches for ethical fashion like “vegan leather” and “organic cotton” last year. When Stella McCartney’s environmental impact shrank 8% in 2017, sales just so happened to climb.