In the world of fashion, anniversaries are more than just milestones; they’re opportunities to reflect, reinvent, and celebrate. For Zara, the 50 – year mark is a monumental occasion, and the brand is pulling out all the stops to make it unforgettable.
Fresh from a series of buzzy collaborations, Zara is commemorating its first half – century in business with a bang. At the heart of the festivities is an epic video titled “50 Years, 50 Icons,” crafted by the legendary Steven Meisel. The video was released on May 9, precisely 50 years to the day since Amancio Ortega opened the very first Zara store in A Coruña, Galicia, Spain. By 2011, with the establishment of an outpost in Australia, Zara had firmly planted its bricks – and – mortar presence on five continents, becoming a global fashion powerhouse.
A Global Gathering of Modeling Greats
The models featured in the video are a veritable who’s who of the fashion world, representing a vast array of regions across the globe. The sight of so many superstars congregating in one place feels not only significant but also historic.
Perhaps only Meisel, with his long – standing support for models and his encyclopedic
knowledge of fashion, could have orchestrated such an event. “There’s nobody who could do this the way that Steven does,” Christy Turlington Burns remarked during a call. “I’ve been involved in a few different special kinds of cover groupings, small and large, but I think this was probably the biggest that has ever happened. We didn’t know the full casting until we were there, so you just kept turning a corner and seeing somebody else.”
Linda Evangelista, who recently starred in the campaign for Meisel’s Zara capsule, added, “I just knew it would be like a class reunion, while at the same time, I’d be meeting some people for the first time. You just wanted to be with everybody and get in as much as you could.”
A Disco – Inspired Celebration
Shot in classic black – and – white, the models in “50 Years, 50 Icons” move and sing along to Donna Summer’s 1977 disco classic “I Feel Love.” Evangelista shared, “I had a good chuckle when I received the lyrics to the song. I listened to that song a thousand times on full blast dancing in my basement. For me, it was such a good memory. I remember my cousin Helen came to visit from New York, and she had great hair, like ’80s hair, that I then emulated – and the way she was dressed. And she introduced me to Donna Summer and gave me the albums.”
The use of “I Feel Love” in the video is more than just a catchy tune. In the music industry, the track was revolutionary for its use of electronic technology, marking a significant shift. Similarly, in the fashion realm, Zara has been a revolutionary force. By offering fashion – forward styles at accessible prices, it popularized the concept of high – low dressing, which is now a staple in the industry. Evangelista noted, “I know they call it fast fashion, but I keep my pieces. I keep them and rewear them – there’s nothing fast about them for me. One of my favorite pairs of jeans is Zara.” Turlington, who isn’t a frequent shopper, appreciates Zara’s “classic pieces.” “They do look well – made, and I feel like they stand out and people look fashionable and effortless and there’s an ease about them.”
The Anniversary Collection
In the video, the models showcase pieces from Zara’s 128 – piece anniversary collection. This collection exudes a sense of elevated, tailored minimalism. Rendered in black and white, just like the video, it draws inspiration from the idea of celebratory tuxedo dressing – a timely theme, considering the opening of “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” at The Met. There’s also a collectible anniversary T – shirt featuring a portrait of the 50 models.
Turlington Burns spoke highly of the feel – good video, saying, “It was a beautiful choice of song because the world was already starting to feel pretty dark when we shot it… Choosing positivity, we have to do it. Any reminder for finding light in our day – to – day and the world right now is really important. That’s a beautiful kind of positively infectious energy to put out in the world.”
Zara’s 50 – year journey has been one of innovation, accessibility, and style. With “50 Years, 50 Icons” and its anniversary collection, the brand not only looks back on its remarkable past but also sets the stage for an exciting future in the ever – evolving world of fashion.
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