I was very pleased to learn that this year Zambesi designers Liz Findlay and Dayne Johnston chose to design the collection with wearability in mind. In fact Liz has chosen to design with herself in mind…
Zambesi SS11/12
Reviewing your favourite label in the known universe is not actually as easy as you may imagine.
I know Zambesi so very well having loved them for nearly all of their 30 years – and having worn them for the best part of the last 10 years. It could be very easily said that I am a ‘Zambesi woman’.
And you would be right. The clothes resonate with me in a way few other labels do – at least when it comes to what I myself wear. That doesn’t stop me seeing and recognising good design (I hope) – but I suppose it does quite firmly scream at my gothic, black tendencies.
I keep my Zambesi pieces for years – and even when I grow tired of them, I often just put them away for a year of two – and then pull them out to wear them again. I love the drape of them – and the way the parts of me I don’t particularly like (my arms, my bust) are discretely covered.
Thus, I was very pleased to learn that this year designers Liz Findlay and Dayne Johnston chose to design the collection with wearability in mind. In fact Liz has chosen to design with herself in mind. These are the seasons when I find A LOT of things that I wish to take home with me, and this year is certainly no exception.
There are lots of loose flowing kaftan peices and very surprisingly for Zambesi, many in colours. And not just gentle muted colours, but eye-poppingly bright oranges and fuschias. This theme has been continued into winter 2012 which we saw recently at New Zealand Fashion Week 2011 (read our review of Zambesi AW12)
Here are our picks of Zambesi SS11/12
They have also thrown in the prettiest of prints – pretty in a most Zambesi way I might add. The ‘watercolour’ print has been used for several dresses, but ‘earnest’ ($820) is my favourite.
The ‘devotion” dress ($575) with its pretty pointed collar has been made from a dress that belonged to Liz’s mother. It is as timeless and beautifully made as it was those many years ago.
Summer sees the return of the sequin. It has been quietly absent in recent seasons and I know this because I have an addiction to sequins. Black sequins in particular. So I can probably tell you any piece Zambesi has made in sequins in the last 10 years. I may own several of them as well…
The ‘protest’ sweater dress ($550) with its horizontal panels of sequins comes in either black or grey, and for the sharp-eyed was one of the pieces worn by the girls in NZ Next Top Model 2011 when they did their go-see at Zambesi.
‘Outcry’ in black and also in grey ($715) is the ultimate eveningwear top; belted and teamed with the ‘grace’ ($400) black satin skirt, it will take you a lot of places this summer. The floor-length skirt can also be worn as a strapless dress.
Outcry
The ‘knife’ pant ($550) is a classically tailored man pant with lovely slouchy pockets, that tapers at the ankle.
Grace
We also liked ‘dreamcatcher’ ($495) with its false-fronted satin camisole in blanc, it’s so simple.
All of their summer stock is already in store, though it feels like summer has barely started yet. Don’t forget that everything is available online at www.zambesi.co.nz
By Anya Brighouse, 23 October 2011
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