Nicky Zimmermann, one-half of the sibling designer duo behind luxury swimwear brand Zimmermann, wears combat boots with her floral dresses. In her daily life, Nicky navigates a balance between ferocity and elegance – or, in her words, between “toughness and femininity.” As Nicky and her sister Simone built Zimmermann from the ground up in Sydney, Australia, this attention to balance helped define the brand’s unique aesthetic. Ready-to-wear collections with fragile floral patterns punctuated by bold accessories quickly rocketed Zimmermann toward the pinnacle of luxury women’s swimwear.
Zimmermann’s current summer collection, available in the District, holds true to the brand’s identity with a sprawling array of ruffles, florals, and luxurious fabrics. Underlying these staple Zimmermann motifs, though, is a boldness and permanence reminiscent of the combat boots worn by Nicky herself. As Miami locals flock to the beaches in the heat of July, Zimmermann’s latest collection serves as a rallying cry to stride boldly into the summer – and into the future.
Excerpt from Virginia Gil’s interview with Nicky Zimmerman for Design District Magazine 2022 Issue 1:
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
In a creative sense, I mostly pull inspiration from my own memories and where I grew up in Sydney–drawing on personal stories. It can also come from a more general mood that I am feeling.
DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONAL STYLE.
I would say my style is feminine and fun. I like to dress for my mood–I might wear a beautiful feminine georgette dress for work one day and a sharply tailored garment the next. My wardrobe staples are a mix of shirts to go with our denim, and I always have an array of our swim collection dresses on rotation.
WHAT’S YOUR DREAM GETAWAY DESTINATION?
I love being in Greece. Any of the quieter islands and I’m in heaven. I love Hydra, which we visit quite often. Other than that, there’s no place like home and for me that is Sydney— spending time with family and friends, enjoying a beautiful meal together, being by the ocean, and sharing a few laughs. To me, that is the dream!
WHAT’S YOUR GO-TO ARTICLE OF CLOTHING OR ACCESSORY?
I like mixing up my look with different accessories, but I really love shoes. I’ve been wearing the combat boots from our Spring ‘22 collection with everything–they are so comfortable, and I like how the toughness balances my more feminine clothes.
BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
Well, it wasn’t the best advice but it’s advice that I remember and ignored. Lots of people said to me: “don’t go into fashion or work with family!” I have been fortunate to work with my sister and husband for nearly 30 years and we haven’t completely fallen out with each other just yet.
