MUMBAI: Fifty and fabulous! Zara is marking its golden anniversary not with a cake but with couture. To celebrate turning 50, the Spanish high-street giant has enlisted 50 of the world’s most renowned creatives, from Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss to Annie Leibovitz, Pedro Almodóvar and Norman Foster, to design one-of-a-kind pieces that will hit stores on 6 October.
The capsule spans jackets, bags, sleeping bags, chairs and even a pet carrier, each reflecting the signature spirit of its creator. Photographer David Bailey reimagines the aviator jacket, Pat Mcgrath puts her artistry into a makeup bag, Marc Newson crafts a set of sleek glasses, while Steven Meisel designs a collector’s pet carrier.
“It is an honour that these artists have chosen to mark our birthday with us,” said Inditex non-executive chair Marta Ortega Pérez. “They share the same passions Zara has had since the beginning: quality of craft and the joy of design.”
The project isn’t just about fashion fantasy. All proceeds will go to Women’s Earth Alliance, with Zara also donating 20,000 euros to 50 charities selected by the collaborators.
Paris Fashion Week is playing host to the celebrations with a pop-up at 40 Avenue Georges V from 2–5 October, curated by Sarah Andelman. Visitors can view the entire collection, attend talks with designers such as Marc Newson, and soak in the atmosphere, soundtracked by Michel Gaubert and fuelled by We Are Ona’s café.
Zara, founded in 1975 by Amancio Ortega in A Coruña, has grown from a single Spanish store into a global cultural force. Half a century later, its anniversary is doubling as a masterclass in the art of collaboration.
