Dario Cantatore/Getty Images; Stella McCartneyStella McCartney is using her fashion and design expertise to do some good.
The iconic fashion designer has teamed up with menswear label Rake to design limited edition scarves to be distributed for free among cancer patients at King's College Hospital in London—and also sold online at Harper's Bazaar to raise money for charity.
The heartwarming project hits close to home for the 42-year-old fashionista, whose own mother Linda lost her battle to breast cancer at the age of 56.
McCartney opened up to Harper's Bazaar about the collaboration, which she did not hesitate to become a part of, noting how important it is to feel your best while battling a life-threatening illness.
"The reality is that when you're ill, your confidence is very low, and you hold yourself differently," the mother of four explains. "I think that, when facing the big things, it is important that we remember that the little things are important too."
There are currently three immaculately-designed headscarves for sale on the Harper's Bazaar online store (proceeds will go to King's College Hospital Charity), as well as a paisley pocket square, which are all funded by Coutts Bank.
The scarves with Stella's design stamp come in an animal print pattern as well as a multi-print design with a burgundy accent border. Prices for the headscarves begin at £145 (about $231).
"The idea of losing your confidence while going through such an incredibly immense moment in your life is just not acceptable," McCartney says. "Fashion, the way you dress and the things that make you happy become more important, not less so."
She continues: "For me, feeling good about the way that you look is key. It is empowering, and helps you fight. Scarves are really important accessories, whether they are a necessity or not; they inject a very easy piece of style into your life."
Each patient treated at the chemotherapy ward at King's College Hospital will receive a headscarf over the next year.
"And so the design for these scarves is bold and timeless: there is a balance that I think is really important," McCartney concluded. "The ill who wear them won't worry that they are making too much of a statement, but at the same time, the designs are exciting enough to make them feel proud of what they are going through and of the courage that it takes to confront the disease."