Stella McCartney turns her passion for horses into a collection

Stella McCartney has found a special way to celebrate the Year of the Horse: a symbol that is deeply personal to the British designer, representing strength, freedom and our enduring connection with the natural world. For thousands of years, humans and horses have evolved together. They have carried us, worked alongside us and shaped the way we move through the world. Yet, as modern life has become increasingly disconnected from nature, many of us have lost touch with the animals and ecosystems that once played a central role in our lives.

Stella McCartney’s “Healing Power of Horses” series explores the enduring relationship between humans and horses through the lens of connection, presence and mutual trust. Horses have been part of Stella’s life since childhood. Having grown up amongst Appaloosas on her family’s farm, her love for these animals has shaped both her personal world and the cruelty-free philosophy at the heart of the brand. For Autumn/Winter 2026–2027, this relationship permeates the entire collection, continuing a wider dialogue on the importance of reconnecting humanity with animals and nature.

In 2023, Stella McCartney partnered with the Chopra Foundation and Never Alone to highlight the healing power of horses, supporting the mental health of the next generation – a theme that runs through the Autumn/Winter 2023–2024 campaign. The initiative centred on the world’s most comprehensive list of equine-assisted therapies, featuring a dedicated educational website and stories of real people who have been healed by these incredible creatures. For Autumn/Winter 2026, Stella McCartney’s ‘Healing Power of Horses’ series continues to celebrate the deep bond between humans and horses and the role these animals can play in enriching our lives.

Rooted in the belief that we cannot protect what we no longer feel connected to, the project highlights individuals, communities and organisations that foster meaningful relationships between people, horses and the natural world. Founded in 1996 and established as Brixton’s first and only community riding centre in 2011, the Ebony Horse Club offers free equestrian programmes for local children and teenagers from very low-income families – with an annual household income of around 23,000 pounds – removing financial barriers to participation and ensuring that the horses remain accessible to the community they serve. Stella McCartney and the team working with her at the fashion house that bears her name visited the Ebony Horse Club and spoke to three children who attend the club – Renée, Bella and Nevaeh – who explained the profound impact that relationships between humans and horses can have.

Situated in the heart of Richmond Park, a vast green space near London, Operation Centaur is an organisation dedicated to supporting people through therapeutic experiences with horses. Qualified therapists lead equine-assisted sessions, in which participants are encouraged to interact not through words, status or expectations, but through observation, mindfulness and instinct. A select group of clients have shared their personal stories with Stella McCartney and her team, in the hope of inspiring others to consider exploring this special form of therapy.