It’s not every day that you see 50 of the most legendary models in the world dancing to disco in a New York studio — and certainly not all together.
But when fashion photographer Steven Meisel calls, the industry listens.
And this time, they were all there for one surprising reason: not a luxury fashion house, but high-street giant Zara.
Yes, really — the same Zara you know from the high street just pulled off one of the most iconic photo shoots of the decade.
Models like Linda Evangelista, Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, Twiggy, Eva Herzigova, Paulina Porizkova, and Penelope Tree all showed up (on time, no less) to celebrate a milestone most shoppers wouldn’t have guessed was upon us: Zara’s 50th anniversary.
The Models Came, Danced, and Celebrated Zara’s Big Birthday
This wasn’t your typical high-fashion photoshoot.
Inside the New York studio, the atmosphere was electric — the supermodels weren’t just posing, they were dancing and belting out I Feel Love, the 1977 disco anthem by Donna Summer.
Karen Elson led the vocals while Irina Shayk shimmied across the set.
And behind the lens? None other than Meisel, the man many of them credit with launching their careers.
This celebratory shoot marks half a century since Zara first opened its doors in A Coruña, Spain, on May 9, 1975.
From that single storefront, the brand has grown into a global phenomenon — with over 5,800 stores across 98 countries and online reach in 214 markets.
From Spain to the World: How Zara Changed the Game
Zara’s founder, Amancio Ortega, is now 89 years old and sits comfortably as the world’s second richest retailer — and the tenth richest person overall, according to Forbes, with a jaw-dropping net worth of $121 billion.
His daughter, Marta Ortega Perez, 41, now chairs the parent company Inditex and has been steering the brand with a modern twist.
To celebrate the anniversary, Marta commissioned Meisel to shoot a film featuring the supermodel lineup dressed in Zara’s latest collection.
The pieces are clean, classic, and wearable: think tuxedo jackets, crisp white shirts, and tailored trousers — all in timeless monochrome palettes.
British Shoppers and Zara: A Longstanding Love Affair
Zara first arrived in the UK in 1998 with a store on London’s Regent Street, and since then, it’s become a fixture in British wardrobes.
It filled the gap between high fashion and affordability, giving style-conscious shoppers access to runway-inspired looks without the luxury markup.
Throughout the early 2000s, finding a chic Zara piece that mirrored a designer item was the ultimate fashion flex. You weren’t just stylish — you were savvy.
Whether it was a coat that resembled Celine or a dress that echoed Dior, Zara gave shoppers bragging rights at a fraction of the cost.
Affordable and Trendy? Zara Still Nails the Balance
Even now, when designer price tags have hit eye-watering heights, Zara’s appeal remains.
Shoppers still head there for those polished, on-trend staples that won’t break the bank.
And the brand doesn’t just follow fashion — it creates it.
Remember “The Dress” from summer 2019? That £39.99 black-and-white polka-dot midi was so popular it got its own fan-made Instagram account.
On TikTok, Gen Z has picked up the baton with their own viral Zara obsessions — like brown chiffon sequin trousers and tie-front sleeveless tops.
Gen Z Has a New Obsession: Zara Perfumes
It’s not just the clothes making waves. For Gen Z shoppers, Zara’s perfume line has become a full-on phenomenon.
Scents like Fashionably London and Red Temptation (both £22.99) are selling out fast — and if you’re a parent to a teenage girl, you’ve probably been hit by the cloud of fragrance already.
Zara has managed to blend its fashion-forward reputation with a lifestyle appeal that keeps young shoppers coming back — and not just for clothes.
Beauty and fragrance now play a major role in how the brand stays relevant.
Fast Fashion or Forward Thinking? The Debate Continues
Still, Zara isn’t without criticism. Producing around 20,000 styles a year — roughly 450 million garments — puts it right at the center of the fast fashion conversation.
But Marta Ortega Perez is quick to defend the brand’s direction, pointing to quality, sustainability, and responsible manufacturing as core priorities.
Whether or not you agree, there’s no denying the scale of Zara’s influence.
For fans, recent collaborations with names like Kate Moss and Jo Malone have been irresistible.
And now, with 50 supermodels fronting their latest campaign, the brand has captured the world’s attention once again.
Meisel’s Magic and a Full-Circle Moment for Twiggy
For legendary model Twiggy, now 75, the shoot held a special meaning.
Meisel first photographed her when he was just 13, after waiting outside a club in New York to catch a glimpse of his fashion icon.
Decades later, the roles reversed — and Meisel was behind the camera, capturing Twiggy once more for Zara.
It’s that kind of emotional connection, along with a splash of disco and a whole lot of fashion nostalgia, that makes this campaign feel like more than just a marketing move.
For the models, for Meisel, and for the shoppers who grew up with the brand — this was a moment.
Zara’s Next Chapter Begins with a Fashion Statement
As the world of fashion continues to evolve, Zara remains one of the few high-street brands that can make both luxury veterans and TikTok teens stop in their tracks.
And even though the models in Meisel’s shoot might not wake up for less than $10,000, Zara fans will be setting their alarms for the next drop.
It’s not just about affordability anymore — it’s about legacy, influence, and the power of fashion to bring generations together under one label.
Zara didn’t just turn 50. It made turning 50 look cool.