Stella Nina McCartney was born in London, England in 1971 to famed rock photographer Linda McCartney and ex-Beatle Paul McCartney. Stella's birth almost ended tragically; mother and child almost died as father prayed that she would be delivered "on the wings of an angel", thus inspiring the name of her parents' band "Wings". McCartney admits she had a "normal" childhood, despite her famous parents; though she traveled the globe with her parents, the whole family lived in a two-bedroom house while she was growing up. Stella was on her own and independent by the time she was in college, making her own money (sometimes by washing dishes in a nearby restaurant). At 15 she had the opportunity to work with Christian Lacroix on his first couture collection, and in 1995 she graduated from London's Central St Martins College of Art & Design, showcasing at her collection of clothes modeled by good celebrity friends Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss. In 1997, with two collections under her belt, McCartney was appointed chief designer at Paris fashion house Chloé, but resigned four years later to enter in a joint venture with the Gucci Group. The line opened three stores and later Stella expanded her brand to include perfume. In 2000, she was presented VH1/Vogue Designer of the Year award by her father. Most recently, McCartney designed a line of clothing and accessories for H&M, helping sales to skyrocket with her designer name. In August 2003 she married publisher Alasdhair Willis.