Zambesi 'Instrumental'

Tonight, Zambesi unveiled its S26 collection, Instrumental, with a runway show presented by Shark Beauty, that celebrated independence and innocence with an intensity of emotion paired against the quiet of nature.

Each piece in the collection is designed to be functional yet evocative: a quiet statement of independence, a nod to the avant-garde, and a foundation for individuality. Fluid layers of natural fibres and sheer textures offered a sense of movement and ease, while unexpected glimmers of lace and sparkle provided moments of contrast and surprise. A grounded palette of earthy tones was punctuated by bold, vibrant accents, capturing Zambesi’s ability to balance subtlety with strength. Striking monochromatic looks added structure and versatility, reflecting the modernist aesthetic at the heart of the brand.

“At Zambesi, we believe the clothes we wear are instrumental to how we move through the world and how we define ourselves within it. With Instrumental, Zambesi empowers the wearer to shape a personal style narrative that is both expressive and essential” muses Zambesi Founder and Designer, Elisabeth Findlay.

The creative direction for the show drew on the relationship between the divine and nature, inspired by a story designer Elisabeth Findlay once read to her daughters about water, nymphs, and discovery. This narrative of adolescence with a feeling of extreme emotions, of innocence and unawareness, yet deeply connected to nature became the heartbeat of the show. The garments themselves told stories of memory and emotion with pieces such as the Harmony Dress constructed from archive remnants of fabric, layered with the brand’s history. The runway beauty embodied this energy. The direction from Zambesi was a dark yet summery look with smudged makeup and clumped hair evoking midnight swims, falling asleep with wet hair, and the careless abandon of a summer night. Hair Director, Sara Allsop for Shark Beauty and Makeup Director, Liz Hyun captured this with hair and makeup looks that are ethereal, undone, and romantic - a celebration of unselfconscious beauty. Music carried the same intensity. From Spellling’s 'Boys at School' and SOPHIE’s hyperpop extremes to Yoko Ono’s I Love You Earth, the soundtrack swelled with defiance, romantic vulnerability, and reverence for the planet echoing the adolescent extremes and divine connection central to Instrumental.

At its core, Instrumental stays true to the principles that have long defined Zambesi: intentional design, architectural silhouettes, and an unwavering commitment to craftsmanship. Designed and made in Aotearoa New Zealand, each garment speaks to the discerning, to someone who values individuality, quality, and timeless design with a modern edge.

With Instrumental, Zambesi presents more than fashion. It is a meditation on adolescence, on divine connection, on extreme emotion, and on nature’s fluid power. Like music, it is both ethereal and grounding. Like water, it is both fierce and fragile. And like Zambesi itself, it is timeless, essential, and forever evolving.