Where Nature and Fashion Fuse: Caroline Zimbalist SS25
Zimbalist’s SS25 blends bioplastics and eveningwear, creating sustainable elegance.
Attending Caroline Zimbalist’s SS25 presentation felt like stepping into a space where nature and fashion coexist in the most unexpected ways. This season, Zimbalist pushes her exploration of bioplastics even further, transforming her garments into eco-friendly, artful creations that challenge the boundaries of traditional textiles. The collection is an evolution from her last show, where she introduced biomaterials. This time around, she refines the concept, blending bioplastics with eveningwear to create softer, more wearable looks that retain their unique, handcrafted appeal.
Inspired by the forest and its unusual flora, Zimbalist’s SS25 collection captures the delicate relationship between humans and plants. “The materials are all bioplastics, cooked on the stove and handmade,” she shared during our interview. Her commitment to sustainability remains at the forefront, with every garment boasting natural, plant-based materials. The result? Bioplastics that are more flexible and breathable compared to the previous season, less sculptural but still form-fitting and fluid.
The collection included a range of stunning designs, from ready-to-wear outfits with harder bioplastic outer layers to bio-wet drapes combined with traditional textiles, all embellished with intricate hand paintings and biomaterial appliqués. The balance between natural and synthetic was impeccable, blending the experimental nature of bioplastics with the timeless allure of evening attire.
One of the standout features of Zimbalist’s SS25 collection was the introduction of her sculpted accessories line. Showcased alongside the garments, these pieces are growing in popularity with merchants for their unique blend of art and function. Zimbalist's patent-pending bioplastic buttons also made a striking appearance. Each button, dried unevenly, becomes its own piece of art—no two are alike, yet all serve a functional purpose. It’s this blend of artistry and practicality that gives her collection such a distinct, organic character.
In the end, Caroline Zimbalist’s SS25 presentation is more than just a fashion show—it’s a glimpse into the future of sustainable fashion. Through her innovative use of bioplastics, she’s not only redefining eveningwear but also challenging how we think about materials and their relationship to our bodies and the natural world. This collection serves as a testament to the potential of biomaterials to be both artful and functional, bringing us one step closer to a more sustainable, nature-inspired future in fashion.