Nicky Zimmermann loves to celebrate and draw inspiration from her hometown of Sydney. It was, after all, our laid back lifestyle and sun drenched beach culture that launched her swimwear label two and half decades ago.

Last season the brand – a permanent fixture on the New York fashion week schedule with an impressive US following – looked to a nightclub in Sydney’s CBD that Zimmermann used to frequent in the 1980s for direction.

This time around the designer took her cue from women in the post-war 1920s, namely the young students from the Women’s College at Sydney University who were housed at The Maples. The Zimmermann Fall 2017 collection was in fact named after the building.

zScreenShot20170214at112820AM
Zimmermann AW17
Credit: Instagram @zimmermann

“The inspiration came from conversations I remember having with my grandmother about that time,” says Zimmermann. “We had a look at all these amazing photos of the women in gorgeous tennis outfits and cricket sweaters. There was roguishness to the images and definitely a sense of fun.

“The women seemed very free, it was a very different world for them.”

zzScreenShot20170214at111835AM
Nicky Zimmermann waves to guests after her AW17 show
Credit: NOWFASHION

A sense of freedom has long been at the heart of the Zimmermann DNA, but it was also clear stylistically that the dropped hems and use of embroidery of the era resonated.

On offer were feminine takes on masculine striped suiting (we loved the cropped culottes and pleated tennis skirts), sporty striped knit dresses and blazers, oversized trench coats and cocoon robes in man style checks and feminine silks, shearling coats in sweet shades of dusty pink, glam sequinned one shoulder deco dresses. There was also plenty of the labels signature embroidery, ruffles and delicate florals to delight.

ZimmermannRTWFW17NewYork4449

ZimmermannRTWFW17NewYork4560

ZimmermannRTWFW17NewYork4508
Zimmermann AW17 
Credit: NOWFASHION

Accessory alert It wouldn’t be a Zimmermann show without the thigh high leather boots. The oversized hoop earrings were also fun.

INFLUENCER VERDICT “It was outstanding I adored the jackets,” says Zanita Whittington.  “Zimmermann is just such an effortless silhouette to wear and there is always so much embellishment. It feels like a holiday when you see the collection.” 

New York minute What will you find Nicky doing in New York when not on the runway? “Eating. I love to eat out and I go everywhere.”

See the full Zimmermann AW17 runway show here.

Cover and main image: courtesy Instagram @zimmermann