Fifty and Thriving: Inside Zara’s Anniversary Bash With Rosalía, Naomi Campbell, and More

Zara celebrated its 50th anniversary on Avenue George V in Paris with an impressive star-studded event and a unique 50-piece collection. The event drew guests-turned-designers like Rosalía, Anna Sui, Sarah Andelman, and Marisa Berenson, all mingling in a two-floor exhibition space as they enjoyed champagne to the soundtrack of Michel Gaubert’s curated playlist.

Crowds were abuzz around items not typically associated with Zara, such as a poetically pink surfboard by Pierpaolo Piccioli priced at $3,499 and a luxurious Steven Meisel pet carrier for $1,399. Eager fans flocked to Kasing Lung’s LABUBU at $529, and whispers of pre-orders filled the air—each item officially launching on October 6. The Annie Leibovitz photo-print T-shirt, marked at $69.90, was showcased like a piece of fine art, while the Rosalía Conversation Island piece priced at $3,499 attracted a great deal of admiration. Alexandre de Betak’s surreal pyramid lamp even displayed a discreet sign reading “do not touch.”

Sui brought a sense of nostalgia, donning a vintage full-look schoolgirl dress with chain belt, socks, and garter, available for $269, directly derived from her fall 1995 runway. Drawing inspiration from her latest book, The Nineties x Anna Sui, she carefully worked with the original spandex and adornments, including the rosette and chain belt, even sharing the vintage pattern used previously. “I just think it’s fantastic to bring everyone together like this, inviting photographers and art directors to collaborate in a new context is amazing,” she shared with Vogue.

The venue’s design paid homage to the once-popular Colette, intentionally. The ground floor was styled minimalistically with white décor and candles artfully arranged on tables, celebrating the concept store. Colette’s founder, Sarah Andelman, not only crafted the space but also conceived a creative hanging bookshelf for limited-edition products. In the midst of fashion week chaos, her Colette pop-up coincided with Virgil Abloh: The Codes at the Grand Palais. “I had the idea for the book hanger in a moment of inspiration,” Andelman chuckled. “It’s portable and combines your favorite book with two of your treasured dresses.”

The celebration concluded with delightful hors d’oeuvres and clinking champagne flutes—and a charitable effort. Profits from the collection will support Women’s Earth Alliance, with Zara pledging to match donations, alongside a contribution of €20,000 to 50 charities selected by their collaborators.