If you ever wanted to run away to sea — not for the salt and hardship, but for the adventure, the drama, and the wardrobe — Zimmermann’s Cruise 26 Twisted Romance is your ship. Nicky Zimmermann takes the wheel, steering us through a tide of nostalgia, femininity, and pure escapist fantasy, all filtered through the soft-focus lens of modern romance.
Don’t mistake it for a pirate-themed party, though. Instead, Zimmermann draws on the flamboyance of the New Romantics and the wild spirit of old-world adventure tales, from Treasure Island to classic swashbuckler films. The result is a collection that’s equally playful, rebellious, and dreamy. Every look feels like a treasure unearthed from a trunk of memories — an elegant one indeed.
The contrasts are where the magic happens. Floaty, watercolour silks swirl against the structure of sharply tailored denim; delicate lace is toughened up with military brocade and crisp, sailor-inspired suiting. Voluminous sleeves and bold ruffles flirt with corset detailing, but nothing ever tips into costume. Instead, there’s a sense of effortlessness that lets you move, layer, and live in these clothes, whether you’re commandeering a yacht or just daydreaming at your desk.
Prints are a feast for the eyes: vintage cartographic maps with mythical sea creatures drift across silk georgette, while nautical stripes and shell-like collars evoke windswept coastlines. There’s a cream lace gown with georgette panels and ruffled details that looks like it could float right off the runway, and a vivid scarlet dress with flared sleeves that slices through the collection’s softer hues like a flare at dusk. Brocade-accented strapless dresses and sheer, boned gowns with sculptural collars add a touch of whimsy and boldness.
Accessories double down on the theme: slouchy, buckled pirate boots, earth-toned crossbody pouches, and striped maxi totes are made for adventure. High-collared hussar jackets, oversized cuffs, and brass buttons bring a flamboyant energy, while beige twill cargos and cream suiting introduce a modern, utilitarian edge to all the romance.
Denim gets its moment too, reworked into cropped off-shoulder tops and dramatically flared trousers. Its structure adds bite to all that billowy romance, just the right amount of tension. Zimmermann’s signature femininity is still there — of course — but this season, it’s been sharpened at the edges.
But perhaps what lingers most is the mood. “We played a lot with contrast,” writes Zimmermann. “There’s volume, romance, and drama, but it’s never too serious. That tension is what makes it feel modern: celebrating a sense of fun, freedom, and a little rebellious adventure.”
Discover the collection here.
photography. Simon Lekias (runway), Charles Dennington (backstage)
words. Gennaro Costanzo









































































































































































































































