Zara at 50: Supermodels, Steven Meisel, and a Capsule Collection That Defines a Fashion Era

Zara, the Spanish fashion powerhouse that has shaped the way the world dresses for five decades, celebrates its 50th anniversary with a campaign as iconic as the brand itself. To mark this golden milestone, Zara has brought together a constellation of the world’s most legendary models-Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, Cindy Crawford, Twiggy, Paloma Elsesser, Alek Wek, and many more-in front of Steven Meisel’s lens for a campaign and short film that is pure fashion history in the making.

50 Years, 50 Icons

The campaign, titled 50 Years, 50 Icons, is a love letter to the brand’s enduring influence and creative spirit. Styled by Karl Templer, with makeup by Pat McGrath and hair by Guido Palau, Meisel’s black-and-white portraits and a celebratory film capture the supermodels in sleek monochrome Zara looks, all while performing Donna Summer’s “I Feel Love”-a disco classic that perfectly matches the energy and optimism of the collection.

The cast is a roll call of fashion’s most influential faces, spanning generations and continents: from 1960s icon Twiggy and French muse Carla Bruni, to 1990s superstars like Evangelista, Campbell, Turlington, and Crawford, to modern runway sensations like Joan Smalls, Karlie Kloss, Irina Shayk, and Amelia Gray. The film, released on May 9-the exact date of Zara’s first store opening in A Coruña, Spain-captures the camaraderie, nostalgia, and sheer star power that only a brand with Zara’s legacy could assemble.

The Anniversary Collection: Monochrome Magic

To accompany the campaign, Zara has launched a 128-piece capsule collection that distills the brand’s DNA: elevated essentials, sharp tailoring, and versatile silhouettes in a timeless palette of jet black and crisp white. The collection is a masterclass in wardrobe building, offering everything from pleated dress pants and cropped leather culottes to satin halter neck tops, breezy knit sweaters, body-skimming satin gowns, and classic button-downs. Accessories include structured leather totes, clutches, and a range of footwear from square-toe mules to peep-toe pumps.

A standout piece is the limited-edition anniversary T-shirt, emblazoned with a group photo of the campaign’s star-studded cast-a future collector’s item, with proceeds benefiting the Women’s Earth Alliance. Prices for the collection range from $26 to $459, ensuring Zara’s signature accessibility remains at the heart of the celebration.

A Legacy of Innovation

Since Amancio Ortega opened that first store in 1975, Zara has become synonymous with democratizing fashion, consistently offering runway-inspired style at accessible prices. The brand’s journey is marked by milestones: pioneering supply chain transparency with IndustriALL GlobalUnion in 2007, launching e-commerce in 2010, debuting the SRPLS line in 2018, and introducing a pre-owned platform in 2022 to champion circular fashion.

Marta Ortega Pérez, non-executive chair of Inditex, encapsulates the spirit of the moment: “Creativity is the essence of Zara-it is what defines us. This remarkable film by Steven Meisel embodies creative liberty and the enchantment we continually strive to generate. Featuring 50 of the world’s premier models-celebrated not only for their beauty but also for their unique personalities and strength-this campaign honors Zara as we reach our 50th milestone. It stands as a tribute to all the efforts made by the Zara teams over the past fifty years, recognizing their passion, talent, and limitless creativity”.

Why This Moment Matters

This anniversary is more than a look back-it’s a vision for the future. With a campaign that unites the most celebrated faces in fashion and a collection that redefines modern essentials, Zara proves that true style is timeless, inclusive, and always evolving.

The 50th Anniversary Collection is available to shop now online and at select Zara stores, including the flagship in NYC’s Soho district. Whether you’re a minimalist, a maximalist, or somewhere in between, there’s never been a better time to celebrate Zara’s legacy-and to make a piece of fashion history your own.