Ruffles are trending for spring, courtesy of Chloé’s revival of the boho-chic look, but for Zimmermann, retro romance is always in fashion.
The brand has become Australia’s first billion-dollar fashion label thanks to its sunny aesthetic rooted in swim and resort wear. Color is a huge ingredient of its DNA, and Nicky Zimmermann said the company is exploring an expansion into beauty following its recent collaboration with suncare brand Standard Procedure.
The runway at its spring show in Paris was bathed in golden light, and the clothes were inspired by sunrise on the ocean.
The designer, who used to watch surf films in her local Sydney town hall in her youth, took her cue from the hazy visuals of the cult ‘70s movie “Morning of the Earth.”
“The imagery of the film is stunning. It’s all beautifully backlit, there’s gorgeous, flowing moments – the motion in it – which appeals to me with the clothing, the colors and the light,” she said in a preview.
All billowing volumes and undulating ruffles, her spring collection was light as air. Zimmermann worked handbraided macramé details into maxi dresses that cascaded with tendrils of chiffon in a palette of blue and earthy tones.
Crocheted tunics with radiating sun embroideries were paired with culotte-style cargo shorts or paper organdy balloon pants, while a filmy parachute coat and windbreaker gently caught the breeze.
A wetsuit-inspired high-cut bodysuit was topped with a sweeping skirt in silvery organza. “It has an extremely fine filament in the weave,” Zimmermann explained. “It looks like a reflection in water.”
There was a delicate hand to the brand’s signature prints this season. A shirtdress with bell sleeves came in a faded version of a Hawaiian motif, while vaporous maxi skirts featured pastel-toned beach vistas.
Best of all were the slinky jersey pleated gowns with neoprene corset belts. They gave a whole new meaning to going with the flow.
