On a recent trip to Madrid, Nicky Zimmermann came across a group of people dancing in the street. “That would never happen in Australia, and it was beautiful,” the Sydney-based designer said. It had already made an impression, but when Zimmermann saw a similar scene in Paris, she found the inspiration for her resort 2024 collection. “When I got home, I found these amazing photographs of people at their local dance halls in the ’50s,” she said. “I loved the energy and exuberance. I loved the hint of the 1950s, which we tried to do in subtle injections.”
With long, bouncy A-line skirts, colorful floral and bandana prints, and short-sleeve blouses with permanently rolled sleeves, Zimmermann captured the spirit of a 1950s dance without veering into poodle skirt and saddle oxford territory. A dress with a fitted bodice and barrel skirt opens the collection, its classic shape slightly offset by trim pointy-toe flats. This and many other pieces were made of a semi-sheer silk linen organza, which lent a lightness to the feminine, structured silhouettes.
Zimmermann is known for lavishly embellished clothes—the white gown with ruffled cuff and a tumbling high-low skirt are prime examples—but the dialed-back offerings this season work well. The 1950s can quickly become costumey, but a plaid crop top and matching body-hugging pencil skirt, as well as a velvet duck-yellow slip with a beaded and diamanté neckline struck a happy medium.
As the look book progresses, it gets into New Year’s Eve party territory: a mauve tuxedo with contrasting black details, structured strapless tops, a white miniskirt and cropped blazer set. It’s a departure from the rest of the collection, to be sure, but appropriate for the many needs resort needs to address.
