Zara Unveils Its Collection in Collaboration with Stefano Pilati

Madrid – In a spectacular conclusion to a period of intense activity surrounding the flagship brand of Inditex, following the successful launch of Zara Streaming, the company now presents an exclusive capsule collection designed by renowned Italian designer Stefano Pilati. This visionary, former creative director of Saint Laurent and Zegna, has created a line for both men and women that will be available starting October 3.

Anticipating this highly awaited launch, Zara has unveiled the garments and key looks from this unique authorial fashion capsule, bearing the signature of a true icon in the recent history of design. Pilati, known for his remarkable trajectory, quickly ascended to the creative director position at Saint Laurent in 2004, succeeding Tom Ford, a role he held for eight years until his transition to the Italian luxury brand Ermenegildo Zegna. During his tenure at Zegna, which lasted from 2012 to 2016, Pilati continued to solidify his reputation before founding his own fashion house, Random Identities, in 2017. His creativity has been reflected in various collaborations, including a capsule for Fendi launched as part of the Fall/Winter 2023/2024 season.

Despite his notable career, Pilati had never previously launched any pieces or collections under his own name, a rarity for designers of his caliber, who typically seek to establish their own brands swiftly. However, Zara provides the opportunity for the Italian designer to present his first signed works to the world, reflecting his style and sensibility in each design of this capsule, for which he enjoyed complete creative freedom. This collection serves as a tribute to his four decades in fashion and signifies Zara’s clear intent to embrace a new concept of “fast couture.”

“Celebrating four decades of creativity, this first homonymous collection,” which arrives “for the first time under his own name,” is inspired by Pilati’s distinctive sense as both an individual and a designer, as stated by Zara. This collaborative capsule encompasses a range of proposals for both men and women, reflecting “his unique expression of elegance” and expanding his aesthetic signature across a wide array of categories.

A Campaign Featuring Gisele Bündchen and Steven Meisel

The launch of the collection will be accompanied by an impactful photographic campaign, shot in New York and featuring Stefano Pilati alongside supermodel Gisele Bündchen. The images, captured by the iconic fashion photographer Steven Meisel, have been integral to Zara’s visual identity and precede the global launch of the fashion and accessories collection that the brand presented in September of the previous year. This series of collaborations with notable creatives and designers highlights Zara’s strategy of partnering with well-known professionals in the fashion industry.

This approach has enabled Zara to establish a new business model, framed within a concept of “fast couture” that closely resembles the operations of major fashion houses. This shift was recently evidenced during the premiere of Zara Streaming, where the brand gathered prominent figures from the industry, such as Cindy Crawford and Kaia Gerber, underscoring its powerful appeal.

A Diverse and Aesthetically Appealing Collection

Focusing on the “Stefano Pilati x Zara” capsule collection, we find a wide selection of garments and accessories designed with a distinctive style that reflects Pilati’s aesthetic. The collection features a predominantly dark color palette, where jet black reigns as the dominant color, complemented by slate browns, stone grays, and white accents. Notable elements include a checkerboard print in black and white, and pointillist patterns evoking fruity motifs, creating a sense of freshness and modernity.

The circle, seen by Pilati as a powerful symbol without beginning or end, becomes the primary “leitmotif” of the collection, influencing the design of garments and accessories. This element is clearly evident in key pieces from the collection, such as a coat adorned with maxi circular buttons, worn by Gisele Bündchen in the lookbook, as well as various models of bags and sunglasses. Additionally, an audacious leather jacket designed for men features circular openings that can easily remind one of key models from Prada’s recent Spring/Summer 2025 collection.

“This collection, both paradoxically timely and timeless, distills the essence of Stefano Pilati’s design philosophy,” states Zara regarding this capsule. The collection exudes “a quiet sensuality” showcased “through tailored garments and the fluidity of its fabrics,” with a focus on silhouette, craftsmanship, and cut, resulting in pieces that aspire to be eternal. This timelessness is not at odds with “the transgressions that challenge the rules of dressing,” which also underpin the garments of this capsule, where “crepe softens the suit,” while “evening proposals seamlessly transition into daytime.” This subversive timelessness, suitable for dressing from day to night, aligns perfectly with the “circle, a symbol without beginning or end,” and “a leitmotif repeated in accessories, jewelry, and studded embellishments.”

As a result, “more than a change of attitude” in relation to the rest of Zara’s offerings, this capsule seeks to “broaden the boundaries of the modern concept of dressing,” from the perspective of the “freedom of behavior” demanded by today’s consumers and society. For this purpose, the brand notes, “the unique language that has defined Pilati’s work throughout his career,” which “is present in this collection,” seemed to best align with these intentions, as ultimately demonstrated by this capsule, “combined with Zara’s universal spirit, always advocating for the power of good design for all.”

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