Designer DETAIL

Love hearts and lip-gloss at Zimmermann this summer

Flick though any fashion magazine and it's guaranteed to be there. The Zimmermann dress. Part feminine charm, part sexy vixen, the unique print, the flattering cut, it's a giddy head-over-heals kind of feeling for devotees each season. So as summer beckons, we vote that a new Zimmermann dress is every girl's ticket to good times. Or maybe it should be a flash new pair of togs?

What's to love this season?

Figure hugging dresses are strapless, bone-structured and embellished with a delicate mix of love hearts, frill and bows. We love the frou frou dresses which cry out to be twirled in, made Bo-Peep sexy with boned bustiers and skirts with tulle underlay.

And the swimwear?

As always, the swimwear stays true to Zimmermann's roots with bold colours and strong prints. The range is bursting with modern geometric shapes and sexy keyholes, cleverly coordinated with the beach to party accessories Zimmermann first blazoned the way with.

From the beach to the dance floor

At the beach you'll star in the goddess swimsuits and bikinis - check out the'Dandelion slinky tankini' for its perfected baby doll style. Throw on Zimmermann's 'Fated white paper bag skirt' and head out more fun as the sun sets. Or slip into the floating 'Precocious black pleat yolk dress' and you're ready

to go, catching the breeze cheekily in your billowing skirt.

Nights out beg for modern sexy dressing. Think fun wearing the 'Wayward white dandelion print jumpsuit' - its 100% Zimmermann style with its bold geometrics of lilac, coral and apple. Or go good girl in the 'Ingénue white floral pleated tie waist dress (pictured top).

Tell me more about Zimmermann?

Designer Nicky Zimmermann began selling her designs at Sydney's Paddington markets. After formal study and a stint with a swimwear company, it was Nicky's revolutionary approach to the design of swimwear with coordinates that first sparked a sensation. Pair this with sister Simone Zimmermann's marketing qualifications and complete confidence in her sister Nicky's design ability, and the perfect partnership blossomed.

Did it really all start with sexy togs?

In 1996, Zimmermann staged its first show at Mercedes Australian fashion week, and Zimmermann Swim was born. Showcasing fashion swimwear designed to mix and wear with the fashion pieces was a hit. "That was something no one else was doing back then" says Simone.

Where to find Zimmermann

In Australia, find Zimmermann boutiques in Sydney, Melbourne and Surfers Paradise. David Jones stocks the ready to wear and swimwear lines, Myer stock Shine by Zimmermann. Online find Zimmermann at www.ozdesigner.com and www.frockshop.com.au View the collections at www.Zimmermannwear.com