After putting Chloe back on the map, Stella McCartney broke out on her own (simultaneously stepping out of the shadow of her father, former Beatle Paul McCartney) with an eponymous line that showcased her soft yet street-smart style.

After successfully launching boutiques in London and New York, McCartney opened a cozy ivy-covered cottage in our city in 2003. Inside, the two-story shop is as clean and crisp as McCartneys sought-after pantsuits, and as playful and undeniably feminine as her blouson tops and ballet pumps. Her full ready-to-wear collection, as well as her shoes, accessories, perfume and the line she designs for adidas, are also on display. Young salesgirls with impeccable skin and crimson lips tend to clientele that range from sophisticated professionals to fashion-forward girls-about-town, with whom many are on a first-name basis. Known for her animal-friendly fabrics (she never uses leather or fur), McCartneys fans also include Gwyneth Paltrow, Demi Moore, Hilary Duff, Kate Hudson and Madonna, whose wedding dress McCartney designed.—Enid Portuguez