The most exclusive celebrations demand a setting as legendary as the guests they host, and for the unveiling of the ZIMMERMANN Cruise 26 collection, the only venue equal to the task was the storied Chateau Marmont. In an off-calendar evening that felt equal parts intimate dinner and cinematic spectacle, Creative Director Nicky Zimmermann and her sister Simone hosted Hollywood’s brightest stars to celebrate a collection themed ‘Twisted Romance.’ Leading the glamour was Emma Roberts, the quintessential muse for the Australian brand’s brand of bohemian elegance and feminine rebellion. Dressed in the ethereal ivory of a Rebellion Corded Corset Dress, Roberts perfectly embodied the collection’s spirit—a seamless fusion of nostalgic fantasy, delicate craftsmanship, and an undeniable, effortless allure. This gathering was more than a dinner; it was a curated journey into the heart of the Cruise 26 ethos, proving that the most resonant fashion stories are those told under the soft glow of candlelight and the perpetual gaze of classic Hollywood myth.
A Night of Hollywood Fantasy: The Setting
The Chateau Marmont, with its inherent air of history, seclusion, and perpetual scandal, served as the perfect, atmospheric canvas for Zimmermann’s vision of ‘Twisted Romance.’ The Australian brand, known for transporting its audience to sun-drenched, far-flung destinations, instead chose to anchor its Cruise 26 celebration in the deep, luxurious mythos of Los Angeles nightlife. The event began with an intimate, candlelit dinner hosted within one of the hotel’s famed Bungalows—spaces revered for their privacy and old-world decadence.
Nicky and Simone Zimmermann meticulously crafted a mood that felt like a fantasy escape rooted in tangible luxury. Dramatically long tables were draped in soft, ivory linens, providing a pristine backdrop for the romantic, gothic-tinged decor. The tablescapes were studies in opulence and nostalgia, featuring antique candelabras that cast a flattering, warm glow over the gathering, punctuated by cascades of lush greenery and long, draped strings of pearls. This blend of classic Hollywood glamour and modern fantasy immediately immersed guests in the collection’s world, creating an environment where the fluid fabrics and illustrative prints of Cruise 26 could truly come to life, setting the stage for an unforgettable, star-studded evening.
Following the exquisite dinner, the celebration seamlessly transitioned to the Chateau Marmont’s Penthouse. This shift in venue marked a natural acceleration of the evening’s energy, moving from intimate conversation to the infectious rhythm of dancing, with DJ Kitty Kash taking the helm. The Penthouse, an equally mythic space within the hotel, provided a panoramic backdrop for continued festivities, reinforcing the collection’s central theme of a glamorous, carefree escape. The entire event was a masterclass in event design, utilizing the hotel’s inherent luxury and seclusion to maximize the feeling of exclusivity and sophisticated rebellion.
The New Romantic: Decoding Cruise 26
The Cruise 26 collection, titled ‘Twisted Romance,’ is a profound dive into Nicky Zimmermann’s current fascinations, weaving together seemingly disparate historical and narrative threads into a cohesive, enchanting whole. As the designer herself explained, the inspiration drew from “nostalgic pirate adventures and the flamboyance of the New Romantics,” creating a creative treasure trove of ideas focused on nostalgia, femininity, and the fantasy of escape. This highly imaginative approach to design is what differentiates Zimmermann’s work—it offers a world to inhabit, not just clothes to wear.
The collection is characterized by a deliberate interplay of textures and silhouettes that speak to both structural femininity and dynamic movement. Fluid fabrics dominate, ensuring that the dresses possess a gorgeous, effortless drape, designed to capture a genuinely carefree mood. These softer materials are juxtaposed with the collection’s structural elements, such as corsetry and corded detailing, which provide a contemporary, sophisticated edge. The aesthetic of “playful rebellion” is evident throughout the collection’s DNA, where romantic billows meet sharp, sculptural lines, ensuring that each piece can transition from a sun-drenched resort holiday to a high-profile red carpet event with effortless grace.
Emma Roberts: Ethereal in Ivory Rebellion
Emma Roberts has long served as an unofficial style ambassador for Zimmermann, embodying the brand’s unique blend of sweetness, structure, and bohemian flair. For the Cruise 26 celebration, she was the perfect muse, choosing a look that highlighted the collection’s dual nature: the Rebellion Corded Corset Dress in Ivory. The selection of a pristine ivory hue amplified the ethereal quality that photographers immediately captured, making her appear luminous against the atmospheric shadows of the evening.
The dress itself is a quintessential piece of ‘Twisted Romance,’ showcasing the collection’s central tension. The structural elegance of the corded corset bodice provides a beautiful, cinched framework that sculpts the upper body, paying homage to historical femininity. However, this structure is softened by the fluid femininity of the skirt and sleeves, which lend the dress an airy, romantic drape. Roberts’ styling—often kept clean and understated—allowed the dress’s intricate details, such as the cording and the delicate fabric texture, to take center stage. Her appearance before the dinner perfectly encapsulated the elegant anticipation and sophisticated mood that Nicky Zimmermann sought to achieve, presenting the look as an object of modern fantasy.
The Star-Studded Guest List and Styled Statements
The true testament to the Cruise 26 collection’s magnetic power was the concentration of A-list celebrity talent in attendance, all of whom arrived wearing pieces straight from the new collection. The guest list was a highly curated who’s who of Hollywood’s most stylish women, including Dakota Fanning, the striking Halle Bailey, the glamorous Rita Ora, and the charismatic Zoey Deutch. Each guest, by serving as a living mannequin for a specific piece, vividly illustrated the breadth and versatility of the ‘Twisted Romance’ line.
This phenomenon of a virtually entire party being dressed by the hosting brand speaks volumes about the current power of Zimmermann’s influence. It means that throughout the Bungalow and the Penthouse, one could witness the collection’s “illustrative prints” on a full-skirted maxi dress next to a sharp, sculptural mini dress, demonstrating the label’s mastery over both volume and structure. Dakota Fanning, for example, often leans into soft elegance, while Rita Ora embraces bold statement separates. By styling them both successfully in Cruise 26, the brand established that ‘Twisted Romance’ is a collection not confined to a single type of woman, but a shared aesthetic language for those who appreciate high-quality fantasy and undeniable glamour.
