Zara joins forces again with British stylist Harry Lambert

Following the success of their initial partnership, which was first unveiled last November, Zara has decided to team up again with Harry Lambert. The new collection, aptly named “Cutie Circus,” will make its debut both online and in select stores on September 20.

The “Cutie Circus” collection features 70 pieces inspired by whimsical and nostalgic settings, such as a circus, a theme park, or a coastal fairground. The collection is characterised by a vibrant colour palette and playful elements, such as unique illustrations and bold polka dot prints. The line includes a variety of garments, from shirts and coordinated tie sets to outerwear like retro Harrington zip jackets. Other standout pieces include a harlequin-patterned vest and skirts in different styles.

For this new capsule, Lambert—best known for his work styling British pop sensation Harry Styles—asked himself: “What would I like to find right now while shopping in second-hand stores?” The outcome of this creative thought process is a collection that combines circus-themed aesthetics with 1970s-inspired designs. The capsule was brought to life through a collaboration with the young British illustrator Aysha Nagieva.

“It has been such a fun and spontaneous process where every idea could be explored, developed, and expanded,” Nagieva shared about her experience working on the project. “It was incredibly rewarding to showcase the illustrations and, over time, see how Harry and the Zara team transformed them into garments.” 

Discussing the artistic approach to the collection, Nagieva noted, “I mainly worked with watercolours on paper to create the illustrations, which was a shift from my usual practice of working primarily with oil paints. This choice was essential to evoke that ‘vintage’ circus feel while ensuring that all visual elements remained fresh and contemporary. It’s a great honour for me to contribute to this collection and to have Harry place his trust in me to bring his brilliant ideas to life.”

This latest launch is a significant part of Zara’s broader strategy of engaging in high-profile collaborations to elevate its market positioning. Among Zara’s most recent partnerships is an exciting collaboration with the acclaimed Italian designer Stefano Pilati. This collection is set to be unveiled in October during Paris Fashion Week. Zara has also planned a third collaboration with British stylist and hairdresser Guido Palau, aimed at strengthening Zara’s position within the competitive hair care division.

Zara Home, Zara’s sister brand, is equally immersed in high-profile collaborations. As part of the same strategic initiative to elevate the market standing and brand image of all labels under the Galician group, the home and décor chain recently announced a partnership with the iconic French publisher, Éditions Gallimard.

Founded in 1974, Zara boasted a retail network of 1,811 locations by the end of 2023, including both company-operated stores and franchises. Zara has remained an integral part of the Inditex portfolio since its founding, coexisting alongside other well-known brands like Massimo Dutti, Bershka, Stradivarius, Pull&Bear, Oysho, Zara Home, and Lefties.

According to the latest financial report released earlier this week, the Inditex group, helmed by Marta Ortega, recorded a 7.2% increase in sales for the first half of the current fiscal year, reaching a total turnover of €18.065 billion.

Moreover, this period marks a time of substantial developments for the company headquartered in Arteixo, A Coruña. Among its most recent news is the appointment of the directors of its youth-oriented brands, Bershka and Stradivarius, to its executive committee. Additionally, there is a notable push towards expanding Zara’s second-hand platform and launching new “livestream” services.