Zara Teams Up With Belgian Designer Ludovic de Saint Sernin For Sensual Capsule Collection
Inditex's flagship brand, Zara, is reinforcing its commitment to high-profile international collaborations with its latest partnership: a capsule collection developed alongside Belgian designer Ludovic de Saint Sernin. Dubbed "Ludovic de Saint Sernin x Zara," this collaboration aims to merge contemporary sensuality with timeless elegance, offering a range of ready-to-wear pieces, footwear, and accessories. The collection became accessible globally from November 17, available through Zara's e-commerce platform and in select physical stores worldwide.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the project, Ludovic de Saint Sernin shared, "What we've created together is my idea of the perfect wardrobe: garments of exceptional quality that I want to wear, that I want my friends to wear - that I want everyone to wear!" He also highlighted the unique appeal of this venture, noting that "the most incredible thing about working on this collection was knowing that it would have a truly universal reach." The collection draws inspiration from the vibrant, cinematic energy of New York City, specifically referencing the aesthetic of the 1980s and 1990s, reinterpreted for a modern audience. Luxurious materials such as satin-finished wool, silk satin, and supple leather are prominently featured in pieces like a sleek jet-black short coat and waxed jeans. Additionally, the capsule incorporates the designer's distinctive codes, reimagining metal eyelets as polished chrome studs adorning trench coats, dresses, and various accessories.
The accompanying campaign, directed by Gordon von Steiner, brings the shared vision of the Belgian designer and the Spanish brand to life. Starring models including Alex Consani and Amelia Gray, the visual narrative unfolds in a dreamlike, frozen-in-time landscape within the heart of Manhattan. The video showcases the capsule collection's pieces, masterfully balancing elements of reality with the imaginary to create an immersive experience.
This partnership signifies another strategic step in Zara's ongoing embrace of international design talent. The brand has a history of successful alliances, having previously collaborated with influential figures such as British stylist Harry Lambert on multiple occasions, and Ghanaian painter Otis Kwame Kye Quaicoe, with whom it launched a menswear capsule in July. Ludovic de Saint Sernin himself is no stranger to working with Spanish companies; he debuted his autumn/winter 2024 collection at New York Fashion Week in February 2024, featuring bespoke jewellery designed by himself in collaboration with the Catalan brand Tous.
Zara, founded in 1975, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The Galician brand continues to be a global retail powerhouse, boasting a commercial network of 1,759 points of sale, including both company-operated stores and franchises, as of the end of 2024. Financially, Zara and Zara Home reported a combined turnover of 27,778 million euros in their most recent financial year, marking a robust 6.6% increase from the previous year.
As a key component of the Inditex conglomerate, chaired by Marta Ortega, Zara stands alongside other renowned brands such as Massimo Dutti, Bershka, Stradivarius, Pull&Bear, Oysho, and Lefties. The group as a whole achieved an impressive turnover of 38,632 million euros during the same period, demonstrating a year-on-year growth of 7.5%.
