BRIT fashion designer Stella McCartney scored a major hit for retailer H&M yesterday, when her one-shot cheap-chic collection went on sale in 400 stores around the world – including six locations in New York City.
The 34-year-old daughter of Beatle Paul McCartney, who became a power player on the fashion circuit after a stint designing for the French House Chloe, wisely took a note from her performing father’s handbook and gave her fans exactly what they wanted.
That translated into a 40-piece line of clothing – ranging from a $19.90 logo T-shirt to a $149 embroidered jacket – all designed with the haute hip flare that has made her couture collection a staple among trendsetting celebs including Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Moss and Hilary Swank.
“It’s pretty much like the pieces I do for my own signature collection,” says McCartney of her signature sharply tailored separates and flirty, feminine party-wear.
“It is built around separates. Styling is key.”
The bargain collection, which is surprisingly well-made and laced with quality detailing usually reserved for much pricier clothing, includes breezy daywear (a slouchy, blouson knit cardi-coat, $79.90) and frothy nighttime options (spaghetti satin-strap flapper-style dresses, in sage green and raspberry, $99.90.)
Pieces that are bound to become collectors’ items include skinny drainpipe denim pants with zippered ankle cuffs ($69.90); a short, poufy black trench coat, with a whimsical bubble hemline ($129); and, our favorite, a $49.90 crystal-encrusted black triangle bikini – perfect for those winter evenings when the super turns up the heat.
orla.healy@nypost.com