The adventure began in 1991 in Paddington, the bohemian district of Sydney.
In a country where fashion is not as popular as in Paris or London, two sisters take on the challenge of launching a brand at the height of femininity, characterized by romantic prints and airy dresses.
Nicky Zimmermann is artistic director, his sister Simone directs operations.
With its signature aesthetic and the energy of the duo, the label is quickly gaining notoriety.
Today, Zimmermann shows at Paris Fashion Week, continues to open boutiques across Europe and has 3.7 million followers on Instagram.
In an interview with
Madame Figaro
on March 4, a few minutes after his fall-winter 2024-2025 fashion show presented in Paris, Nicky Zimmermann talks about the secrets of success, and the benefits of working with family.
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Madame Figaro
.
- What were the inspirations for this collection? Nicky Zimmermann.
-
The collection is called “En Illustration”.
It was inspired by magazines from the 1920s that I found in shops in Paris, and in which I loved the illustrations.
We applied for and obtained the rights and printed them on the dresses.
We also dissected the silhouettes and textures of the 1920s, and Barry Otto
(Australian actor and painter, Editor's note
) allowed me to print his own designs on my dresses.
Fashion show - Zimmermann - Ready to wear Fall-Winter 24-25
In images, in pictures
See the slideshow54 photos
See the slideshow54 photos
When we think of an Australian brand, we think of
swimwear
, surfer outfits, denim mini shorts.
At home, we are more about romanticism, poetry, flowing dresses.
Basically, hasn't Zimmermann always been a brand with Parisian inspirations?
You are probably right.
We have two stores in Paris, we have just opened a space at Galeries Lafayette and we will soon open another at Bon Marché.
We have a very good connection with the French woman.
I think it's because we love beauty.
We celebrate femininity, the connection between masculine
outerwear
and magnificent dresses.
It's important to us that women feel good.
Print is very important at Zimmermann. How do you manage to make this pattern desirable in an era where fashion focuses more on minimalism?
Our design philosophy has always been based on optimism and a sense of fun.
So print is integral and an important part of the storytelling we explore each season.
All of our prints are bespoke and designed in-house.
We consider each silhouette and design each piece of art specifically for each garment and textile.
I get a lot of joy from working with color and print, and I think it's contagious.
Zimmermann fall-winter 2024-2025 show.
(Paris, March 4, 2024.) Imaxtree
What does your sister bring you that is essential to you?
Simone is the operations manager of the company and is incredible at what she does.
The fact that she makes sure everything runs smoothly on a daily basis means I have the freedom to do what I need creatively.
We leverage our strengths.
As sisters, we can be very honest and transparent with each other - we have our disagreements sometimes, but there is no one else I would rather work with.
You have managed to reconcile your professional success and your family life. Your secret?
I'm very lucky to love what I do and work in a business with my sister and my husband.
We shared the ups and downs and the important thing I learned is to always have fun, and even when you're not - to surround yourself with people who are always ready to laugh.
Laura Smet attends the Zimmermann spring-summer 2024 fashion show. (Paris, October 2, 2023.) Bertrand-Hillion Marie-Paola / Bertrand-Hillion Marie-Paola/ABACA
Read alsoThe mysterious message embroidered on Lana Del Rey's dress, in homage to a Belle Époque painter
Laura Smet, Louane… They were in the front row of your last fashion show. Even Lana Del Rey only wore Zimmermann during her world tour last summer. Who are the women who best embody your brand?
These are all women who love things that help them feel beautiful.
I am a very big fan of Lana and I find her very inspiring.
Seeing her wear pieces from the brand is a delight.
Fashion shows in Paris, store openings in Madrid… You are more and more present in Europe. What inspires you about us?
Probably the food
(Laughs)
.