Vincent Van Duysen introduces the ultra-modern Zara Home collection
Diving into Vincent Van Duysen's Fourth Collaboration with Zara Home
Last week in Antwerp, the renowned architect Vincent Van Duysen flung open the doors of his private abode for an exclusive industry gathering - the very first time since purchasing the old townhouse 27 years ago. The intimate celebration, attended by close friends, clients, and select members of the press, served as the launchpad for his fourth collaboration with Zara Home, unveiled in 2022.
Nestled across the residence's three floors, the fresh and existing pieces from the Zara Home collection showcased the signature style that Van Duysen is known for: minimalist yet monumental, tactile yet restrained. Instead of intentionally branding the pieces, they were carefully concealed within the refined interiors, set alongside Van Duysen's personal vintage furniture and artworks, creating an intriguing 'spot-the-Zara' challenge for guests.
In the living room, a light yellow loveseat - the 'Loveseat 01' from 'Collection 04' - with an elongated seat invited guests to lounge, while a nearby rug - the 'Rug 05' - beckoned to be touched. Upstairs, in the main bedroom, a polished steel lamp - the 'Spotlight 01' - illuminated a wall, and a leather bench with a heat-treated ash frame - 'Bench 01' - sat at the foot of the bed in sharp contrast to the white bed linens.
The home's pièce de résistance was undoubtedly the top-floor attic, transformed into a generous suite boasting an exposed timber roof structure and bathed in soft, hazy light streaming in from skylights. In this space, a new lounge chair - 'Lounge Chair 03' - sat among linen-upholstered pieces, its dark ash frame softened by radius edges and a padded leather seat and back.
For Van Duysen, the design process was deeply personal, providing an opportunity for introspection that led him to evaluate his life's work. He embarked on the journey three years ago, after receiving an offer from Marta Ortega Pérez, the daughter of Zara founder Amancio Ortega, to design a collection with no limitations. Unsurprisingly, his answer was an immediate yes. "It was something I never expected them to ask me," he shared.
To discover the essence of his DNA, Van Duysen delved into his archive, tracing his design roots back 40 years. He reexamined each piece, giving them a fresh twist and sharing them with the Zara team. The production process, according to Van Duysen, was remarkably swift and efficient, turning around the first collection in a matter of weeks.
Quality craftsmanship and attention to detail were non-negotiable for Van Duysen. He made sure that all the pieces, handcrafted in Spain, Portugal, and India, reflected the skilled handiwork of the artisans. "You can feel that. You can see that the materials are really beautiful," he reflected. The collection is meant to last a lifetime, and the elevated price points ($6,900 for a sofa) underscore the commitment to durability and quality.
With this collection, Zara Home is making a statement in the market. It aims to reposition itself as a purveyor of permanence, joining other home brands - from mid-market players like Ferm Living, Soho Home, and Hay to mass-market giants like Ikea and H&M - embracing the language of 'quiet' or 'affordable luxury'.
Van Duysen's fourth collection aligns seamlessly with this strategic shift. Although part of an ongoing series, it introduces a modern sensibility, with the introduction of polished stainless steel and clean-lined furniture designs. As he described it, "My world is very sensorial. I'm a modernist, a modern soul as well, even though I'm also conservative and like traditional furniture too."
For Zara Home, the collaboration with Van Duysen has evolved from an experiment to a global success, introducing larger-scale pieces to their audience for the first time and significantly reshaping the brand's identity. "In my opinion, it's brought in customers who may not have paid attention to Zara Home before Vincent," shared Héctor Barrantes Torrús from the brand's Marketing and Communication team. "And I think, especially since the pandemic, people are more invested in their interiors. They're willing to spend on something that feels crafted - something that carries meaning and quality."
The collection is now available from zarahome.com and in select stores.
Sources:
- The Zara Home online store
- Interviews with Vincent Van Duysen and Héctor Barrantes Torrús
- The Zara Home Q4 2025 Press Kit
- The Spanish newspaper El País (article titled "Zara Home repositions itself in the market with Vincent Van Duysen's new collection, embracing quiet luxury")
In the living room of Vincent Van Duysen's residence, a modern sensibility is showcased with the 'Loveseat 01' from 'Collection 04' and the 'Rug 05', both from his collaboration with Zara Home.
Upstairs, the main bedroom serves as a display for high-quality pieces, such as the 'Spotlight 01' lamp and the 'Bench 01', both part of the latest Zara Home fashion-and-beauty line by Van Duysen, which aims to elevate home-and-garden design with luxury and craftsmanship.
