Paris Fashion Week took a moment last week to toast Zara’s [IG] high-praise-worthy collaboration with designer Stefano Pilati [IG]

Announced officially in this old-school ad campaign with supermodel Gisele Bundchen and Pilati, lensed by Steven Meisel [IG], the hotly-anticipated Zara collection drops on October 3, 2024.

Pilati has spent recent days exploring his rich past as a creative director, researcher and designer for a portfolio of important luxury names.

He posted a very sensual image of Bundchen from his FW2007 YSL collection, where he was creative director from 2004-2012. Together, these two megawatt talents create a powerful and intoxicating invitation to experience and buy into the new Zara X Stefano Pilati collection.

About the Zara X Stefano Pilati Collection

The Zara coed capsule pieces from Stefano Pilati are designed to be versatile, promoting a minimalist approach to fashion that encourages consumers to invest in high-quality staples that stand the test of time.

The fusion of Pilati’s forward-thinking design sensibilities and Gisele’s timeless elegance results in pieces that are both sophisticated and wearable. At the heart of the collection are structured blazers, emphasizing sharp, clean lines that are both powerful and feminine.

These blazers are versatile, capable of transitioning seamlessly from boardroom meetings to evening events. Luxurious fabrics like cashmere, wool blends, and silk are prevalent, underscoring the collection’s commitment to quality.

The collection also features a series of knitwear, a homage to Bündchen’s Brazilian roots combined with Pilati’s flair for intricate detailing. Sweaters and cardigans display innovative patterns and relaxed silhouettes that promise comfort without sacrificing style.

Dresses in the collection range from sleek, minimalist designs to more elaborate evening wear, featuring intricate embroidery and delicate lace. These dresses showcase Pilati’s talent for marrying simplicity with sophistication, offering something for every occasion.

Pilati Takes on Mario Grauso As Partner and CEO

Pilati recently brought on industry veteran Mario Grauso as a partner and chief executive officer of Stefano Pilati Studio, whose main activity is Random Identities. The gender-fluid menswear label was launched by Pilati in 2018 from Berlin.

“There’s a lot of runway for development,” Grauso, best known for his stints as president of Holt Renfrew, Vera Wang Group, Joe Fresh and Puig Fashion, parent of Carolina Herrera, Nina Ricci and Paco Rabanne, told WWD. The American executive also held senior positions at Celine, Calvin Klein and Giorgio Armani earlier in his career.

“I’ve admired him since forever,” Grauso said. “For me, he’s one of the top 10 talents in our industry. Wait until you see the Zara clothes — they’re next-level. It looks like a Paris runway collection, it’s so well done.”

Grauso is correct, and AOC will also share the lookbook images — which are smashing — in a new post.

Zara Stock Price Surges + 41%

Zara’s influence as a fast-fashion powerhouse is undisputed, known for its ability to swiftly adapt high-fashion trends into accessible, stylish pieces for a broad audience.

Earlier this month, Zara-owner Inditex SA’s sales surged 11 percent in the first weeks of its third quarter, busting beyond a strong second quarter performance. Inditex shares are up about 41 percent in the past 12 months, with solid contributions from Massimo Dutti and Pull & Bear.

Creatives tend to hang the financial successes of fashion brands and businesses on designer styling. Zara has led the way with an elevated fashion offering at affordable prices.

What Inditex has proven is that a state-of-the-art, tightly-managed supply chain, one that allows its brands to be more agile in chasing fashion trends and confronting unexpected headwinds, is equally important to its success.