The John Galliano x Zara collection marks a new milestone in the retailer’s designer collaborations, placing Galliano in direct dialogue with the Zara archives. Unveiled in September 2026 as the first instalment of Re{form} Vol. 1 09/2026, the genderless collection reimagines familiar wardrobe staples through couture references, historical codes, and theatrical styling.
The collaboration treats archival pieces as prototypes. Galliano enlarges, shrinks, splices and recuts garments and accessories, translating their original forms into new materials and silhouettes. Its characters draw from one of his enduring historical fascinations: Les Incroyables and Les Merveilleuses, the flamboyant dandies and divas of post-Revolutionary France.
From Zara archives to Galliano’s world
Each piece begins with an archival Zara garment or accessory, reshaped through physical and digital manipulation. Trompe l’oeil layering, exaggerated proportions, garment splicing and bias cutting create silhouettes that seem to hold several identities at once.
The approach is especially striking in the accessories. The Tri-Chic recasts the humble bin liner as a sculptural handbag that can be carried three ways: by hand, over the shoulder or as a rucksack. Its name nods to tri sélectif, the French waste-sorting system, while its exaggerated proportions amplify the wearer’s gestures.
The bag appears in black-and-yellow and black-and-khaki nylon, alongside black leather, suede, khaki leather and tweed-effect suede. A miniature metallic-leather version adds a sharper evening accent.
Shoes, shirts and the art of reconfiguration
Archival footwear is elongated, spliced and reshaped. Leather winklepickers gain brogue detailing and elevated heels, while naval boots stretch into exaggerated forms with deliberate creasing. T-strap platform heels with sculpted toes draw on boudoir dressing, while evening shoes are spliced into interlaced kitten-heeled slingbacks in metallic and classic leather finishes.
Historical references extend to detached knitted nylon turtlenecks, poplin collars and silk stocks inspired by Les Incroyables. Tulle and leather opera gloves, knee-high nylon socks and ribbed cotton socks complete the theatrical silhouettes.
Stephen Jones reforms the headwear
Galliano’s dialogue with milliner Stephen Jones extends the collection’s archival language to headwear. Zara caps become Les Merveilleuses-style bonnets with beak-like visors and lace details.
Wool fisherman’s hats and straw hats are crumpled into shapes reminiscent of Napoleonic bicornes, while waxed-cotton bucket hats reference the gardening wardrobe. Unravelling knitted beanies add a softer, fragmented note.
A palette of historical memory
The palette balances traditional menswear tones—black, navy, burgundy, beige and white—with vivid accents of red, olive, mint, ochre and orange, before shifting into orchid pink, purple, turquoise and acid green.
Through archival garments and couture techniques, Re{form} Vol. 1 09/2026 treats the Zara wardrobe as raw material, giving familiar pieces new identities through Galliano’s language of reconstruction.
JOHN GALLIANO x ZARA
Photography by STEVEN MEISEL
