Gisele Bündchen Channels Monica Vitti in Zara x Stefano Pilati Campaign

Zara’s shelves are now graced with the awaited debut collection from the designer Stefano Pilati. Captured by the lens of Steven Meisel, the campaign features none other than supermodel Gisele Bündchen alongside Stefano himself. Gisele Bünchen for Zara x Stefano Pilati channels a modern-day Monica Vitti, sporting an eye-catching platinum bob. But who exactly was Monica Vitti? What gems does the Zara and Stefano Pilati collaboration hold? What’s Stefano’s latest fashion venture? And what’s Gisele been up to post-divorce? Buckle up; we’re diving into all that glossy gossip.

Gisele Bündchen and Stefano Pilati Photographed by Steven Meisel

Monica Vitti – Collage @Pinterest

Who Was Monica Vitti?

It’s uncanny how Gisele Bündchen mirrors Italian actress Monica Vitti. Known as the ‘Queen of Italian Cinema’ in her ’60s heyday, Monica was the muse of director Antonioni, who cast her in roles that were as dramatic as they were profound. Yet, Monica was also a comedian at heart, smashing the stereotype that beauty and laughs don’t mix. A vibrant soul, she loved her work and life—expressive, yet private; cheerful yet contemplative. Monica fought for her freedom to be herself—a theme poetically woven into Stefano Pilati’s collection for Zara. The designer himself wears his ‘Freedom‘ mantra quite literally on his forehead.

Gisele Bünchen for Zara x Stefano Pilati in a halter top with train and wide-leg black trousers

The Zara x Stefano Pilati Ensemble

Designed by Pilati, the collection boasts 300 pieces for the style-savvy gents and dames and has been available worldwide since October 3rd. With price tags swinging from €12.95 to €479, the range spans from luxurious cocktail dresses to audacious lace-up thigh-high boots, leather skirts, and breezy suits. Pilati’s sartorial flair inspires the collection–described by Zara as ‘personal, intimate, real… a freedom of expression… the epitome of style’.
The women’s array, primarily in Pilati’s signature noir, features everything from faux fur coats to tuxedo-style tailoring and relaxed silhouettes secured with flamboyant bows. And let’s not overlook the quirky miniature strawberry prints. And Pilati’s nineties serif tees are already flying off the racks.

Gisele wears a blazer dress with tuxedo shirt.
Stefano wears a fishnet long-sleeve with
pinstripe shirt and cardigan

Stefano Pilati’s Fresh Fashion Fling

Pilati’s tenure at Yves Saint Laurent (2004-2012) and Zegna (2014-2016) left indelible marks on the fashion timeline. Post-Zegna, he’s been a freelance force, launching his Berlin-based label Random Identities—a nod to gender-neutral and seasonless attire. In 2023, he even teamed up with Kim Jones to sprinkle some Pilati magic over Fendi. His encounter with Marta Ortega, Inditex’s chairperson, blossomed into this collaboration, steering Pilati into the fast fashion lane for the first time.

Gisele wears V-neck dress with fur coat.
Stefano wears mock-neck shirt with zipper
detail and blazer

What’s New with Gisele Bündchen?

After her split from Tom Brady, Gisele stormed back into the fashion arena, all guns blazing. Now 44, she’s flipping a new leaf, possibly down the aisle with Joaquim Valente, her jiu-jitsu instructing beau. Rumour mills, start your engines!

Gisele wears blouse with cutout and
leather skirt – Stefano wears turtleneck
with shirt and fishnet long-sleeve

Gisele Bündchen for Zara x Stefano Pilati, a breath of fresh air in fast fashion. The sector is ambitiously pushing the boundaries of design and sustainability, seemingly outpacing the luxury market with its greenwashing controversies.

See the whole collection, here.

Image by @Steven Meisel, courtesy @Zara