Overview
The good news for those of us who have been petitioning for Spanish fashion store, Zara, to open its doors in New Zealand is that it is finally coming and we can stop flying across the ditch to stock up on seasonal must-haves. The bad news is that it is coming this Saturday, leaving very little time to start saving our pennies.
Our favourite fashion giant is owned by Inditex, a Spanish multinational clothing company found in Arteixo, Galiciathe and founded by Amancio Ortega. The entrepreneur was born in northern Spain to a middle class family, and is now the third richest man in the world. Ortego credits Zara's innovative business model for the company's success. The model is one of fast fashion, bringing catwalk looks to the shelves a matter of days following the fashion shows. The instantly accessible trends have made Zara our go-to when we are searching for the latest in fashion, which is why the company does not advertise, nor does it need to. The brand is associated with connotations of fashion and quality, with Zara products still being manufactured in Europe where Ortega and his business partner, Rosalia Mera, first started up shop in A Coruna in 1975. The convenient location means that the factories and products are always accessible to the upper tiers of the organization, who can keep a close eye on quality control and be sure to deliver customers with well crafted clothing.
Since its inception, Zara has spread exponentially, now having its name on 6,500 shops in 88 different countries. Actually, 89. Zara is making its kiwi debut through new retailer, The Shop, which opens this Saturday in the Milford Centre. Okay, so it isn't the massive, high tech, Zara madness we are accustomed to from the flagships overseas, but The Shop will supply a wide selection of Zara women's, men's and children's clothing. And what's more, there are whispers in the grapevine of a flagship heading our way in the near future, potentially sidling up next to the latest international fashion giant to call Queen Street its home, TopShop. Keep your fingers crossed and empty the piggybank. This weekend is one for shopping.