Fashion Confession
Ode to Zara and Zara Home
Oh, this is a delightful moment of courage - writing about something other than art. Please, allow me to play a bit of dress-up today and pretend I’m a fashion blogger. Girls, I know you’ll like this. Boys, I’m sorry, you can sit this one out (we both know you won’t, but let’s agree to play along).
Take a comfy seat and enjoy this longread, lovingly dedicated to the biggest killer of sustainability and a monster of capitalism - Zara. It somehow feels creepy to admit at a certain age, but I love Zara. Surprisingly, this is true for the same reasons I love my job, since both involve a lot of research and adapting various new trends to everyday life.
Let me be clear from the start: I know that the general quality of Zara items is horrible, and the vast majority of them are simply bad designs. The amount of products funnelled through their stores every ten days or so is also too much for our planet to bear. At the same time, I can’t help but hunt for those few unique Zara pieces that are a clear reaction to emerging social trends.
I prepared a whole speech on why I go through this process of selection, cross-references and pret-a-porter research when I’m choosing art, but I decided to delete it last minute, because my real major thesis is:
Everything can be a part of a collection - even ZARA!
Most of my clients come saying: “I’m not a collector. I’m not that rich.“ This is a common misunderstanding of what it means to be a collector. I promote the idea that we are all collectors no matter what we’re crazy about, whether it’s art, books, fashion or shoes. To me, a wardrobe is already a kind of art collection.
This letter is a sneak-peak into my own collection, featuring the most unbelievable finds from the current seasons of Zara and Zara Home. I’m using links from the UK, but they will most likely forward you to the online store at your location.
NYLON & LEATHER: a 100% leather midi skirt with Prada-style wrinkles in a beautiful pistachio colour; Leather clogs for 40 euro; stuff like this nylon fitted jacket and midi skirt are going to be in style for at least another half-decade - they’ll pay back a hundred times more than the 100 euro they cost; a nylon monochrome backpack that’s simple enough to work for every look; this is the most expensive garment set I’ve seen from Zara, but this gorgeous colour is too seductive to pass up (straight fit jacket and midi pencil skirt); a classic leather purse that has been reproduced by Phoebe Philo in Old Celine; I’m extremely excited by the return of suede and this is the perfect skirt to have for this historic occasion; if you are a fan of the recent “car shoe” trend brought by Miu Miu and Leandra Cohen, you can go for these comfy loafers.
SILK, SATIN AND ORGANZA: a draped jacquard skirt with overlayed organza fabric featuring beautiful crinkles that would make Mrs. Prada proud; flat cage sandals with a satin finish; this draped dress could easily be a Dries van Noten design (fall 2010); Printed scarf based on Dries van Noten’s approach mixing patterns; Organza silk transparent midi skirt and high collar top; an Old Celine-style scarf bag; mules in satin (there are a lot of references from catwalks this season); Zara Origins has the best lines of gender-neutral clothing, like this jacket, a relaxed-fit kimono style that could work for many occasions.
MEN’S FLOOR: these jacquard silk-linen blend blazer and trousers are light enough to be worn during the summer but can also work in the fall or spring; a straight-fit wool blazer with a beautiful blue and orange check on a tan background; a cool-coloured green bandana (also comes in pink, red and blue); limited edition embroidered jacket and shorts in the same style as Lasha Devdariani’s kaftans; semi-sheer floral blazer and shorts; a soft backpack made in collaboration with Studio Nicholson with a perfect adjustable single strap that turns into a crossbody sling; the combination of leather and canvas on this tote makes it an extremely desirable gym or travel bag; a beautiful deep carrot orange hoodie with perfect thickness from the Zara Origins Summer collection.
SUMMER’S COOL ESSENTIALS: a body oil in three colours to use before you get kissed by the sun; a Pantone x Zara summer collection dress in a trendy pistachio shade; one of the best crochet knits I’ve come across this season; a night gown with lace and embroidery from Zara Home that I wear outside; a beach towel x Pepo Moreno pack (comes with a bag); a wide-brimmed paper beach hat for 30 euro (with a price like this you might as well take it in all three colours); a striped velour beach towel with a matching umbrella (which I urgently need); a raffia basket bag, which works both as a beach accessory and something to take for a weekend market shopping spree; a raffia bucket hat with a wide brim.
“Zara Home does such an amazing job that I can buy everything from there and live a happy life”
(Anonymous Collector)
Above I have quoted one of my clients. He said this full of hesitation, but I feel the same. Some of their pieces are genuine collectibles and should probably cost way more, considering the remarkable collaborations they display. You can fill your house with their vases and there is no chance somebody would recognize they’re Zara. I chose some pieces for myself, as well as recommend my clients.
COLLECTIBLES & OTHER NON-ESSENTIAL THINGS: a long metal base absolutely (un)necessary for any home that can be used for vases, lamps, sculptures, etc.; an elm wood table with two trestles as the base; a spherical linen shade for a ceiling lamp that comes in three different sizes, I’d offer to take them all and use them together; a certified future collectible - this throw with countryside-inspired embroidery; a wool-upholstered armchair with a multicoloured horizontal stripe design and metal frame; an 8 centimetre high black stoneware vase - grab a couple of these; these irregular shaped vases are actually made from aluminium; an aged ceramic amphora with handles at the rim; a folding stool with a multicoloured wool seat and metal structure; a plain pet bed (I’m planning for the arrival of my puppy); ceramic cone-shaped long vases; the most beautiful basket made from palm leaf and seagrass, woven in a Hermes palette.
This spontaneous foray into fashion blogging territory was inspired by my friends, and by the works that explore culture from different perspectives I've been familiarising myself with lately. I can’t wait to see your reaction and read your feedback, since I plan for this type of post to appear in further Friday dispatches, and there is nothing more encouraging than knowing that TJD is joyful.
Talk to you next Tuesday on another bunch of Goings-Ons
Have a good weekend!
Yours, Miri
PS. The previous dispatch included a link with to a list of 26 hottest spots in Tel Aviv. But it didn’t work for the most of devices. Here I repeat it - You can add Miri Nissi’s list to your Google Maps right HERE.
