Happy Birthday Stella McCartney! I never would have guessed she turned 40 today - positively gorjuss. And what a thrilling year she's had: a store opening within Saks Fifth Ave, a contract to design the British Olympic uniforms, a stunning well-received Fall 2011 collection, and the opportunity to costume the MET ballet, Ocean's Kingdom. Not only did the latter allow her to employ all she has learned at ADIDAS and with designing for the Olympics in a far more artful manner, but it gave her a chance to work professionally with the ballet's composer, her father, Sir Paul McCartney.

Image: Vogue September 2011

It is both McCartneys' first foray into ballet. Paul is donating his time and Stella is lending her services at a reduced rate; essentially they are doing it for the art of it. Though Paul is technically only the composer (whose role typically is over after the music is delivered), he has been there at every rehearsal, contributing to the set, choreography, et all. He wrote the storyline and is seeing the project, as he does, from start to finish with his hands deep in, committed to the project. It was, in fact, not his idea to bring his daughter on board, rather the producers of the show suggested it. Brilliant, thank you.

[caption id="attachment_209050" align="aligncenter" width="560" caption="Paul McCartney with Choreographer Peter Martins"][/caption]

Image: New York Times

See Stella's sketches and some sneak insight into the costumes ahead.

Image: New York Times

You will see nary a tutu, rather flowing, fluttering fabric along frenzied bodysuits.

The bad boys of the show are tattooed at Paul's request. No, they mustn't go under the needle, Stella has worked it into the costuming.

The show takes place underwater (breathing apparatus need not apply) with influences from the princes above. Thus we can expect costumes moving with fluidity.

Ocean's Kingdom premieres on September 20th at Lincoln Center, where the McCartney clan (and I) will gather to witness a grand spectacle worthy of a Beatle. Then, two weeks later on October 3rd at Paris Fashion Week, we see the new Stella McCartney collection. Werqin' like a dog.