Imagine this scenario. Industry naysayers would rejoice at your failure.  The public at large, largely skeptical of your artistic competence eagerly awaits a dismal showcase of your material.  Added to this, everyone knows who your father is.  Really.  Your father is a musician of international acclaim and has transcended generations with his musical influence.  The pressure is on.  Who are you? How do you separate yourself not only from the rest of the design world, but gain respect that most would rather not give?

The answer?  You are Stella McCartney.

Your father is former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney.  Your designs are intuitive, gorgeous and utterly real.  You make it work-on your terms.

Stella McCartney's design career is a study in a parallel of opposites.  Born soon after the breakup of the acclaimed Beatles group, Stella would travel her superstar parents Paul and Linda as they toured in the group Wings.  What could have erupted into developmental chaos from a jet-set lifestyle was tempered with a deep parental desire to see their children lead a more real lifestyle.

Exposure to the jet-set rock n' roll lifestyle as well as an idyllic life on a farm raising sheep, horses and vegetables no doubt set in motion the inspiration for the dichotomy that would be the style of Stella McCartney (source).  Inspired immensely by the artistic photography of her mother Linda as well as her advocacy of animal rights, Stella would find a way to combine the whimsical and the humane into her creations.

Stella's entrée into the fashion world came at a much earlier age than most.  Although for most elite fashion designers, creating their own clothing in their early teens is not an unusual feat, interning for Christian Lacroix at age 15 and then fine tuning her technical skills on London's famed Savile Row does lend an air of precociousness and perhaps even questions of "daddy-connections".

Following in the footsteps of other famous designers, Stella graduated from the prestigious Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design. Unlike most graduating students, however, Stella McCartney's graduation runway show featured supermodel stars like Naomi Campbell, Yasmin Le Bon and Kate Moss.  Oh, right. Did I mention Paul McCartney happened to be in attendance as well ?

If that wasn't enough of a wow factor, the entire collection was bought by a London boutique and designs were licensed to retail powerhouses such as Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus.  Naturally Stella McCartney received some slack about her 'models' and the fact that her collection made front page news-was it only her father's star power that brought her such acclaim?

She proved the doubters wrong.

In 1997, Stella was named chief designer of Chloe.  Her predecessor, Karl Lagerfield was not impressed with the choice of the design house, saying "Let's hope she's as gifted as her father." (source).  However, when Mounir Moufarrige, the president of an established brand like Chloe thinks that you have what it takes to revive his brand?  You take him up on it!

Triumphantly marrying romantic pieces and delicate petticoat skirts with the fine tailoring acquired from her years on Savile Row, her first collection was a commercial success and critically acclaimed. Her mother's influence was immensely apparent.  "My mom always collected thrift-shop stuff…especially Italian slips." An article in the Washington Post agreed with  Moufarrige's assessment, saying "Chloe has not just gotten substantially better.  It has been transformed." (source)

During this period of personal triumph, Stella McCartney was dealt a huge personal blow.  After a three-year battle with breast cancer, her mother passed away in 1998 (vogue).

Channeling her mother's independence and strength, Stella left Chloe in 2001 to head her own label as a part of the Gucci group.  Although her first collection was not a success, as she deviated from her distinctly feminine and flowy style, McCartney soon silenced the critics.

Featuring a combination of vintage and modern looks that celebrate a woman's body, rather than hinder it, Stella McCartney's later collections have proved to the world that she indeed knows how women wants to dress; and how to make them feel confident and beautiful.  In addition, Stella McCartney's entire collection, including shoes and bags does not use leather or fur.  A noted animal rights activist and PETA supporter, it is impressive that Stella McCartney can create success in both the tempestuous world of fashion as well as the politically-sensitive land of animal rights.  Not one to sell out through trends or to compromise her beliefs, Stella McCartney continues to be influenced by the 'naturalness' of her own mother.

Stella McCartney has received accolades from every direction.  From the VH1/Vogue designer of the Year Award to designing Madonna's wedding dress in 2000, the respect for her talent and designs spans across the industry into unbelievable musical icons like Madonna.

Writer's note:  Granted, they're getting divorced now, but do you really think Madonna would have had just anybody design her wedding dress?

Stella McCartney has worked hard to garner the respect of industry insiders and in fact the world while maintaining her own sense of personality and design.  From her own line to partnerships with firms such as Adidas, Stella maintains her sense of self. Pretty, feminine and classic, Stella McCartney doesn't follow trends, she follows her heart.

Writer's note: Apparently Stella designed a necklace with a single silver leg on it-an apparent 'slap' to her father's former wife Heather Mills.  I guess we know how she feels about it?! (source)

Tom Ford, a designer extraordinaire himself, has perhaps summed up Stella McCartney with the most flattering words possible "She has everything it takes to be successful-the drive, the will and the intelligence.  She has great style, great taste." (source)