For its Fall/Winter 2025-26 collection, Zimmermann spun a hauntingly romantic tale, drawing from the mystical allure of Picnic at Hanging Rock—the iconic 1975 Australian film celebrating its 50th anniversary. Creative director Nicky Zimmermann, long captivated by the movie’s ethereal melancholy, reimagined its dreamlike atmosphere in a modern wardrobe of soft-focus nostalgia and poetic self-discovery.

From Edwardian Innocence to Modern Romance

Rather than recreating the film’s stiff Edwardian schoolgirl uniforms, Zimmermann distilled its essence into whisper-light chiffon, delicate love letter embroidery, and reimagined pinafores—each piece floating with the same otherworldly grace as the film’s vanished heroines. The collection unfolded like a coming-of-age story, tracing the journey from youthful whimsy to empowered femininity:

✔ Opening Act: Softness & Innocence

• Pastel-hued chiffon dresses that billowed like morning mist
• Delicate smocking and ruffled hems, evoking schoolgirl daydreams
• Modernized pinafores, their structured lines softened by sheer overlays

✔ The Transformation: Strength & Selfhood

• Structured denim and buttery leather, signaling newfound confidence
• Lingerie-inspired lace reborn as dramatic robes and slip dresses
• Corsetry details peeking through diaphanous layers, a nod to awakening desire

A Lighter Romanticism

In contrast to the dark, raw femininity dominating recent runways (like Alexander McQueen’s FW25 gothic romance), Zimmermann’s vision was weightless, luminous. Even the collection’s most structured pieces—a tailored wool coat, a denim corset—were rendered in airy fabrics, ensuring every look retained that signature bohemian ease.

Why This Collection Captivates Now

At a time when fashion leans heavily into nostalgia and escapism, Zimmermann offered a daydream worth getting lost in. This wasn’t costume drama—it was romanticism refined, giving wearers permission to float between tenderness and strength.

Final Thought

Like Picnic at Hanging Rock itself, Zimmermann’s FW25 collection lingers in the mind long after the show ends—a beautiful, bittersweet meditation on growing up and letting go.

Would you wander into these woods? 🌸📜 The collection arrives August 2025.