Maryam Nassir Zadeh Resort 2021 Pushes Back Against Fashion Frenzy

Model Caroline Neal is styled by Thistle Brown in Maryam Nassir Zadeh Resort 2021. Photographer Rachel Chandler captures key looks from the “hand-picked” collection of “items from the past, reimagined and recontextualized for now”, writes Emily Farra for Vogue.com.

The back story on the designer’s decision of how to present her resort 2021 collection is refreshing. Her white-brick walls boutique at 123 Norfolk St in lower Manhattan long been a cult destination. Her success has crowned Maryam Nassir Zadeh a “tastemaker”, in the words of Net-a-Porter.

Tired with the brutal grind of the fashion business cycle, Zadeh made the decision to forego presenting a Fall 2020 collection before the pandemic. “It isn’t even just about sustainability in recycled materials, it’s about sustainability of time,” Zadeh explained as one reason behind her decision to step back and take a deep breath about the fashion calendar.

The designer’s decision to not present at February’s New York Fashion Week was further influenced by the wedding of a close friend in Africa. “Plenty of designers would have sacrificed the life event, not the media attention and page views,” writes .Farra.

Then came the pandemic and MNZ’s concurrent reflection on her own design DNA and how it intersects with the larger universe of what women want to buy now — as the world is in a tailspin around them.

Speaking about her Resort 2921 collection, Vogue writes:

Her sensitivity to what’s “in the air” means we’ll soon be obsessed, too. On the list are: shorter hemlines, colorful silk button-downs, men’s shirts and tailoring, anything lace, and embellished belts, styled here as “spice ups” on otherwise simple jersey dresses. “There’s a real personality and style to the collection,” Zadeh said. “It’s easy and wearable, but still special, because we’re mixing these strong basics with novelty accessories.” In the past, Zadeh has described that MNZ balance as “odd elegance.” That still rings true, but its becoming cleaner and more casual, even tomboyish, of late. “I’m feeling less ‘pretty,’ and more of a timeless, cool, and relaxed look.” 

MNZ obsessives will indeed see resort as a grab-bag of timeless, cool, and relaxed outfit ideas, especially if they got any of these pieces the first time around. More broadly, though, it’s a collection that feels connected to what’s happening in the world and how women want to dress for these uncertain times. It’s neither fussy nor shapeless; the two poles of “where fashion is going”—fantasy or extreme hygge—seem illogical to Zadeh. “There has to be some sort of blend in the middle,” she said. “I love a really special, crazy piece, but if it’s too crazy, how often are you going to wear it? I just want to fall in love something. I’m curious to see what happens next.”   

See the entire Maryam Nassir Zadeh Resort 2021 Collection at Vogue.com.