Nicky Zimmermann On Good Times, Sustainability and Escapism
The Australian designer and co-founder of Zimmermann shares with Bazaar on how the namesake brand plans to inspire us to dress up again as we move towards a post pandemic era…
Sisters Nicky and Simone Zimmermann founded their namesake brand back in 1991, when Nicky started selling her designs in local markets. After being featured in one of Australia’s leading magazines, Nicky began receiving calls from boutiques all over the country asking to stock their pieces. Fast forward two decades later and the label, known for its fiercely feminine collections, is now stocked all over the world – with Bloomingdales’s Dubai carrying 23 exclusive pieces from its AW21 collection.
Exaggerated collars and cuffs, subtle peek-a-boo necklines and seriously feminine ruffled skirts and dresses are just a few of the signature design elements that keep us coming back for more. After a long year wearing loungewear and little else, the Zimmermann ladies knew the fashion world had never been more ready to dress in exuberant, carefree clothes that promise to transport us to a happy place, wherever that may be.
Bazaar spoke to Nicky Zimmermann about the latest collection and the sense of fun that she hopes to bring.
What was the inspiration behind the Zimmermann AW21 collection?
It was inspired by a music television show in Australia called Countdown that was on every Sunday night. If you were interested in music and fashion – like I was – then this show was it. It was this exciting and inspirational escape for me, where music, fashion and a wider world came together and I was exposed to a world of creativity. All these great international bands who were touring Australia performed alongside established and emerging local artists. I loved the energy and creativity in each show – it was so addictive. It was a really important influence on me growing up as a teenager.
Your designs have such a strong sense of femininity, from the ruffles to the silhouettes and fabrics – beautiful designs that still feel empowering and strong. What goes into creating them?
I’m fortunate to work with an incredibly talented design team and together we are always striving to create pieces that have a sense of fun and that our clients will fall in love with – that is at the heart of our design process. The details are also important. We are always working to find new ways to bring these to life in an unexpected way and evolve our collections season after season.
Mixed floral Blouse in pink, Dhs2,855
One of the things we love about Zimmermann is your ability to transport us with gorgeous vacation styles and occasionwear. Where are you taking us with this range?
We wanted to convey the exuberance and fun mood of the 1970s and 1980s by creating garments that make women feel optimistic. We pictured the woman wearing them, ready to have a great time!
What was the thinking behind unveiling your denim debut?
We’ve been working on our denim for a while now and had infused small pieces into the swim and ready-to-wear collections in the past. But for AW21 we really felt like we wanted to show it on the runway for the first time. The denim worked in harmony with the rest of the collection and how I wanted to think about styling some of the looks. It expanded into how the clothes could be worn. There are beautiful silk blouses with billowing sleeves that I wanted to see paired with jeans that you could wear out to dinner. They aren’t your casual going-to-the-park jeans. The idea was to keep them sharp and sexy. We’ve customised the hardware, injected corduroy and patent panelling so there are a lot of unexpected details, which are signature to our brand and what our client looks for season after season.
Concert rouleau trim Gown in mixed peonies, Dhs8,950
The fashion industry is paving the way for a more size inclusive future. Where does Zimmermann stand on this?
Inclusivity is important and due to client demand we added an additional size this year, so our collections now offer six size options in select styles.
What’s your sustainability plan for 2021?
Every day we’re trying to create collections in more sustainable ways in so many different parts of our business. As a brand we have organisational resources directed day-to-day at some of the larger long-term projects, such as mapping and reducing our carbon emissions that are consistent with global goals. But we also make efforts on all the little choices each day, be it the selection of fabrics and suppliers, or the way we repurpose trims and finishes in our archives, to how we’re building our stores or staging our shows and events. Sustainability is obviously a key focus for the fashion industry in general and we must all shift to more sustainable practices.
The shopping habits of the luxury spender have changed post-pandemic. Have you noticed this with your customers, too?
What we are seeing is clients coming to us for those special pieces that give her joy. Despite the restrictions, she’s creating an occasion to wear a beautiful dress, even if it’s just a dinner party at home. We learnt quickly to stay focused on what we are as a brand and keep doing what we do. We weren’t going to pivot and become a casual loungewear brand – it just isn’t us. If anything, the pandemic has made us work harder to design pieces that our client will fall in love with and that offer her a small escape, which is more relevant now than ever.
Concet spliced trim dress in pink mixed print, Dhs7,050
If you could dress anyone in 2021, who would you pick?
I still get a thrill whenever I see anyone wearing our designs. One of my favourite things is when I talk to a friend or a client and they share a story about when they have worn something of ours. It might have been on holiday or at a special occasion, often it’s connected with these good times in peoples lives and it’s nice to be a part of that in some indirect way.
Mixed floral print Gown in brown, Dhs4,195
There’s set to be 23 exclusive pieces coming to Bloomingdale’s Dubai. What piece from the AW21 collection do you think will resonate with the Middle Eastern woman?
We’re excited too! The Concert Peonies trouser paired with the matching shirt I think is really chic. It’s the perfect look to take you from the office to dinner. I also think they will adore the Concert Rouleau trim gown. It has a beautiful pink peony print, embellished crystal details and has this lovely buoyancy when you move in it. You’re bound to have a wonderful time wearing it.
Mixed print Dress in yellow, Dhs6,285
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia July-August 2021 Issue.