Zimmermann’s Fall/Winter 2025-26 Collection Channels the Dreamlike Mystery of Picnic at Hanging Rock

Zimmermann’s Fall/Winter 2025-26 collection embraced an ethereal, romantic femininity, drawing inspiration from the iconic 1975 Australian film Picnic at Hanging Rock. As the film celebrates its 50th anniversary, creative director Nicky Zimmermann revisited its haunting beauty and mystical atmosphere, a longtime influence from her childhood.

Rather than directly replicating the film’s Edwardian-era schoolgirl costumes, the collection evoked its soft-focus nostalgia through billowing chiffon dresses, intricate love letter appliqué, and modernized pinafores inspired by the school uniforms in the film.

The runway narrative reflected a transition from youthful innocence to self-discovery:

• Playful frills and soft pastels gave way to structured denim and leather, symbolizing a coming-of-age transformation.
• Lingerie-inspired lace was reimagined into dramatic robes and dresses, reinforcing the brand’s signature bohemian elegance.
• The collection presented a lighter, ethereal take on romanticism, contrasting with the darker, raw femininity seen in recent Alexander McQueen designs.

At a time when fashion embraces nostalgia and escapism, Zimmermann’s FW25-26 collection offered a delicate, dreamlike vision of femininity, allowing wearers to explore their own romantic expression.