Founded in May 1975 in A Coruña, Spain, fast fashion giant ZARA celebrates its 50th anniversary this year with a striking tribute to its legacy. Teaming up with renowned fashion photographer Steven Meisel, ZARA has released a black-and-white themed commemorative film titled “50 Years, 50 Icons.”
The film brings together 50 iconic supermodels from across generations — including Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista, Twiggy, and Karlie Kloss — appearing together on screen for the first time. Set to Donna Summer’s 1977 disco classic “I Feel Love,” the campaign is a glamorous homage to the enduring spirit and passion of fashion.
Let’s take a step back to May 9, 1975, when the very first Zara store opened its doors on Juan Flórez Street in A Coruña, Spain. The brand’s founder, Amancio Ortega—who began his career as a garment worker—went on to establish the Inditex Group, Zara’s parent company, with a vision: to make fashion faster, more accessible, and more affordable for everyone. After successfully building a women’s clothing production business, Ortega ventured into retail. The first store, originally named “Zorba,” was quickly renamed “ZARA” after a naming conflict with a local bar.
Fast forward fifty years, the brand returns to its roots in A Coruña to pay tribute to where it all began. Inspired by the city’s iconic seaside arcades, Zara has redesigned its original store with a modern twist and launched a series of special events and limited-edition collections. The store now features a café and a luxury lounge, along with a curated library of fashion magazines dating back to May 1975—offering visitors a nostalgic journey through five decades of style.
As of 2024, Zara’s parent company Inditex has delivered an impressive performance. Founder Amancio Ortega remains not only Spain’s richest individual but also ranks as the ninth wealthiest person in the world as of 2025.
