Weeks after designer Narciso Rodriguez created a capsule with Zara, the Spanish retailer tapped another fashionable name for a new collaboration — none other than Kaia Gerber. The 21-year-old model designed a collection of ready-to-wear, accessories and shoes with the goal to create the ultimate collection of wardrobe staples.
“My starting point for this collaboration with Zara was to ask if it is possible to do a collection that has everything you would ever need in your closet,” the model said in a press release. “If you were traveling and packed an entire collection, could it cover every possible need that you had? I think we’ve achieved that.”
The magic number to create the perfect collection of wardrobe staples is 30 pieces, which each got a contemporary spin thanks to Gerber. Some tried and true classics got a skin-baring surprise through items like an oversize shirt that opens completely in the back or a silk dress with high slit and another with a low cutout back. There are also shorts and skirts with slashes at the waistband. Of course, there are plenty of items that balance out the look thanks to oversize blazers, trench coats and men’s-fit black pants.
The full clothing range includes slinky slip dresses, long jackets, oversize blazers, biker jackets, wide-leg trousers, shorts, skirts, sweaters, tanks, and bra tops. Gerber also designed a selection of wear-everywhere accessories with heeled boots, white sneakers, black belts in two different widths and an array of delicate silver jewelry.
The star sought inspo from the ’90s in her color palette (anyone else think that perhaps her mom Cindy Crawford’s closet could have provided some inspiration?). Most pieces fall into a gray, white, black or camel category, for that easy mix and match ability. There’s a pop of blue included too thanks to a pair of blue jeans and a denim jacket.
Even though a model-on-the-go would know better than anyone what one needs to pack for a stylish getaway, Gerber didn’t envision herself when she was designing. “I was thinking about my mom, my friends and everyone I see around me. My style is pulled from a lot of different places and I didn’t want to design something that excludes anyone,” she said.
The full collection hits shelves and zara.com today, Oct. 4, and the model celebrated the launch during Paris Fashion Week where (conveniently) friends like Karlie Kloss, Derek Blasberg, Eva Chen, Eve Jobs and more were on-hand to raise a glass to the budding designer.
“I am so overwhelmed with gratitude,” Gerber wrote on Instagram on Oct. 4. “Thank you to @marta_o_p and the whole zara team who made this possible. and another massive thank you to @fabienbaron #karltempler @guidopalau and @diane.kendal for helping bring this to life. you are all masters of your craft and i learn so much from just being around you. KAIAXZARA is available now… i hope you all love it as much as i do. 🥺.”
