Raffia dresses and feathery gowns shine in Stella McCartney's show in Paris

Stella McCartney showed a summer collection packed with cocktail dresses in new, feathery materials, further expanding the range of textures used by her label, known for an ecological bent.

The show kicked off with actor Helen Mirren stepping out of the front row to read the lyrics of the Beatles song "Come Together."

"I thought, 'oh, what fun, that would be great'," Mirren said backstage, after the show, recalling the request from McCartney to take part. "But when I was sitting there, I started getting really nervous."

Known for her use of alternatives to leather and fur, McCartney in January announced she would repurchase LVMH'sLVMH.PA minority stake in her label, but would continue to advise the French luxury conglomerate on sustainability matters.

Paris Fashion Week, which started on Monday and has featured shows from Saint Laurent and Louis Vuitton, runs through October 7. Upcoming designer debuts will include fashion houses Chanel, Balenciaga and Loewe.