Since Taylor Swift released her seventh studio album, Lover, in August 2019, fans have been widely debating the meaning of her reference to fashion designer Stella McCartney on “London Boy.” The song sees Swift showing her affection for her English boyfriend, actor Joe Alwyn, by expressing how she’s adapted to life in London.
On the bridge, Swift likens herself to Stella McCartney, Paul McCartney’s daughter:
Stick with me, I’m your queen
Like a Tennessee Stella McCartney on the Heath
Just wanna be with you
While many thought she simply included the reference as another nod to British culture, one fan on Tumblr recently unearthed a deeper meaning.
In March 2018, Stella McCartney regained full ownership of her namesake brand from luxury conglomerate Kering, which owns brands like Gucci and Balenciaga. From 2001 to 2018, Kering owned a 50 percent stake in McCartney’s company—which focuses on making sustainable, yet stylish apparel—while she owned the other half.
Their partnership helped McCartney establish her budding brand, while the buyback allowed McCartney to maintain an independent label and run her business however she chooses. McCartney’s journey for full ownership of her brand is much like Swift’s own fight to own her work.
Swift announced via Instagram in November 2018 that she signed a recording contract with Republic Records, who would allow her to own her masters, unlike her previous label, Big Machine Records.
Entertainment mogul Scooter Braun bought Big Machine in June 2019, giving him ownership of Swift’s first six albums, and Big Machine Records has reportedly been trying to limit Swift’s performances since the deal happened. Swift has since vowed to re-record the albums Big Machine has the rights to.
After Swift wrote “London Boy,” she contacted McCartney to make sure she would be okay with the name drop, and the two decided to collaborate on a limited-edition merchandise line that came out around the same time as the Lover album.
The collection featured several bright, sustainable pieces inspired by the record, including graphic tees and crewneck sweatshirts. Some designs also featured lyrics from the album, with one shirt reading “like a Tennessee Stella McCartney.”
Read all the lyrics to “London Boy” and the rest of Lover on Genius now.
