Interview: Stella McCartney
We speak with the British designer about the inspirations behind her latest scent, L.I.L.Y.
Stella McCartney has launched her second fragrance, L.I.L.Y. The name of the perfume is an anagram for "Linda I love you" — a phrase Stella remembers her father Paul McCartney often saying to her mother Linda.
L.I.L.Y was inspired by the combined scents of Lily of the Valley and, surprisingly, truffles; "I find the smell of truffles to be very sexy," Stella tells us. "They’re so rich and luxurious, so masculine and sensual. And so it became the signature for the fragrance, adding a whole new layer of texture, a perfect counterpoint to the extreme freshness of the Lily of the Valley." The result is a delicious smell of old-fashioned floral sweetness and manly earthiness.
Truffles might seem an unusual reference point for a fragrance (though, not as crazy as these) but Stella's favourite scents are very personal. "It starts in the morning when my children wake up. There is nothing nicer than to smell their breath, still warm from their sleep ... But I also love the smell of my quarter horse mare, for example. I have often said to Jacques [Cavallier, the perfumer who worked with her on the fragrance] ‘Let’s think up a perfume that contains this scent!’ Who knows — maybe one day..."
Stella is horse mad. She has her very own English estate where — according to vogue.com — she rides horses, plays in the garden with her children, and eats pretty, frosted cupcakes (maybe). In addition to launching the new scent, living an idyllic existence and running a fashion empire, Stella recently designed the uniforms for the British Olympic Team, though, she can't pick her favourite sport. "I love all of them! I am a big fan of a variety of sports. It will be a real honour to see any of the athletes competing in my designs."
L.I.L.Y. is available in-store now.
Alice Cavanagh
