Decoding Zimmermann’s Paris moment from someone who helped build it.
Located at Le Carreau du Temple in Paris’s Le Marais and set amongst a backdrop drenched in a rich Chartreuse Pantone (saturated from wall to floor), announced Zimmermann’s striking entrance for yet another Ready-to-Wear season on the global stage.
As guests (Naomi Watts, Oprah Winfrey and Poppy Delevingne to name a few) made their way onto the show floor, a visual mirage of the shows theme were embellished throughout, taking form via large circular spheres, circular runway entrance points and morse code-esque seating arrangements.
I had the great pleasure of working with the executive team at Zimmermann to bring this incredible show to light. From campaign narrative ideation through to show
execution, a profound caffeine intake and multiple calls across multiple time zones later, we successfully conveyed the true
essence of Nicky’s vision for this season. Words by Rhiannon Hill
At the centre of the staging was the recurring motif of the circle: a singular point where all attention converges. Here it becomes symbolic, suggesting momentum, focus and the moment a woman claims her own direction.
Titled Trailblazer, the collection draws inspiration from Australian women from the 1920’s who embodied this same sentiment.
“Fall 2026 is inspired by Australian women during the 1920s, who rewrote the rules at a time of great social change […]
I looked to other incredible women from that era, from Miles Franklin […] to the duo Kathleen Howell and Jean Robertson,
who were some of the first women to drive across Australia” - Nicky Zimmermann, Creative Director.
Within the designs, inspired by the 1920s, Nicky Zimmermann frames the collection in two parts; utility meets lingerie; a fine dance between feminine and masculine codes. Men’s silk scarves, structured drill jumpsuits, tuxedo suiting, cricket whites elevated in cream wool suiting, and aviator-style denim jackets allude to uniform dressing. In contrast, we see the feminine expression layered throughout; corset-like pieces, bras styled as outerwear, ruffled silk skirts and lace panelled dresses.
Art deco influences are present in prints, silhouettes and colourways, with Chartreuse as the star of the show. Accessories take cues from the textures of the 1920s featuring embroidered velvets, exotic bird motifs, bold cuffs and pavé earrings.
The collection pays tribute to the sharp-witted women who redefined what was possible for future generations. Just as Morse code once carried messages across distance, the show’s production foreshadowed the collection’s deeper narrative.
Through fabric, silhouette and form, Zimmermann writes a language of its own; one that celebrates independence, confidence and the power of carving your own path.
With Trailblazer, the message is simple: the most powerful statement a woman can make is writing her own code.
Yours truly,
The Blonde Duo x
