EXCLUSIVE: How Outer Banks star Madelyn Cline wants to rewrite the rules in fashion alongside Stella McCartney.

“What is more punk that upending the entire food and fashion industrial complex?” ask Stella McCartney and Madelyn Cline, who have always considered themselves new-age punks. Bringing together her fearless energy into activism in favour of animals and expressing the importance behind the chain reaction behind climate change, the designer has used her creativity and endless drive to develop and create collections that talk about the current state of the world, and how fashion needs to change every single step of its process - from its thought to its landfill. In the new Stella McCartney Spring 23 collection, McCartney has continued her ongoing collaboration with Japanese innovative artist Yoshitomo Nara, and his poignant social statements on war and ever-increasing wildlife destruction across the world.

“What is more punk that upending the entire food and fashion industrial complex by removing animal products from the equation? My mantra right now is: ‘We are what we eat, we are what we wear’. Our choices have an interconnected impacts and if we want to change the history and save our planet for future generations, we must take action – from stopping eating meat, to ending the needless deaths of animal for fashion. I call people of all ages today to join me in this mission today, so that we can protect Mother Earth for tomorrow.” expressed the designer talking about the launch of The Gentle Barn, her Spring 2023 campaign featuring Glass Onion and Stranger Things star Madelyn Cline, captured across six different farmyards, housing over 170 animals with a kinder and hollistic approach towards caring and supporting them.

Chatting with Perfect, Cline takes us behind the scenes of shooting the campaign and her first ever time at The Gentle Barn, rediscovering a whole new relationship with her furry friends.

Perfect: What was your favourite moment from shooting at The Gentle Barn and getting to be up close with so many animals?

Madelyn Cline: I’ve always wanted to pet a cow but I never thought I’d get close enough to one. I never knew I needed an emu to teach me how to dance like an emu, or a sheep to head butt me, or a chicken to perch on my arm. Also, pornstar martinis at wrap. It was the best day ever.

Perfect: What do you think of the Summer 2023 collection? What was your favourite piece from the shoot?

Madelyn Cline: I remember going to my fitting for the shoot and sifting through the racks of clothes trying on look after look. We all got so excited, and it felt like we’d never narrow down anything because it was all so cool. I love the duality of this collection. Slinky draped gold chain tops, crystal cut outs, lace and fishnet thigh high heels paired with oversized blazers, denim, and leather. My favorite piece hands down is the bedazzled cat suit.

Perfect: Why do you connect with Stella McCartney and her values?

Madelyn Cline: Like she has said in the past, she has a seat at the table and she’s using it to show exactly how fashion and our environment can have a harmonious relationship. The brand stands for animal welfare and sustainability in fashion. She shows us that if you’re going to sit at that table and rewrite the rules, you might as well do it in a lead free crystal bralette, a responsibly sourced suit, and vegan fishnet heels.