Zimmermann Swim 09

We're going to start with our personal favorite from the Miami Swim shows. We can't promise you we'll make it much beyond this, given the state of things. Zimmermann, the star of Miami Swim and the one recognizable name to chicsters (Diesel, we think, might not count) showed a collection heavy on swimsuits and light on clothing (as opposed to their typical offerings, which are collections heavy on clothing and light on swimsuits). In other words, Zimmermann is never content to live within the confines of a fashion week. There was, for instance, a floral crop-top that, even if technically swimwear, would look smashing with a high waist skirt or wide leg trousers. There were also, among the clothing, silk harem pants, breezy printed skirts, jumpsuits, and mini-dresses that could either be beach cover-up or full-on outfit, depending on your mood. Zimmermann's whole manifesto pivots on the jetsetter (not the beach bum) and so we swim put into context in ways most designers are unable to envision. Zimmermann will never be considered avant garde and we're not trying to put them there. The point is that they bend the rules and, even to a by-the-book kaftan loving fashion woman, this is probably appreciated.