Caroline Zimbalist AW25: Bioplastics, Fantasy, and the Future of Fashion

photo ©Alex Mari, Courtesy Caroline Zimbalist

What if the future of fashion wasn’t just non-toxic, but a mesmerizing fusion of fantasy and innovation? Caroline Zimbalist is answering that question with her FW25 collection, an evolution in her exploration of biomaterials that shifts from artistic experimentation to ornamental, wearable design. In previous collections, Zimbalist presented bioplastic as a colorful alternative textile. Now, she is pushing the concept further, layering molded bioplastic over fabric to create multidimensional looks.

This season she highlights her imaginative interpretation of our changing natural world by printing whimsical hand-drawn illustrations on fabric.

“The designs are my reflections when considering how our natural world clings to its beauty while inundated by plastics and other waste. I use hand-drawn print patterns on a variety of textural fabrics to mimic or blend with the bioplastic layered throughout.
My vision is to showcase bioplastics as a material not just for sustainability but for beauty and innovation – to help popularize biomaterial for mainstream usage. To elevate a previously inelegant textile for more consideration in the world of fashion.” she shared.

The inspiration for this collection is the idea that the Fairy Girls have come out of the garden and the forest—they are now walking the city streets. “So they have boots on, everything’s a little more wearable,” Zimbalist explains. But their connection to nature remains ever-present, reflected in floral prints and a color palette of rich greens, vibrant pinks and reds, and a purple so deep it borders on black.

Jewelry close-ups ©Alex Mari, courtesy Caroline Zimbalist

Her accessories also reflect this. Rings and earrings curl and twist, and if they are not outright flowers, they resemble the petals of an exotic bloom. Makeup was also a crucial element of the presentation, featuring designs that suggest the Third Eye. According to Zimbalist, it represents a powerful statement: “We’re here. We’re present. And we’re going forward.”

Zimbalist’s FW25 collection is a study in contrasts—organic and futuristic, ethereal and wearable. While her use of bioplastics continues to push material innovation, it’s the artistry of her garments that captivates. Flowing dresses with layered textures, intricate prints, and sculptural accessories create a dreamlike yet grounded vision. The Fairy Girls may have left the garden, but in Zimbalist’s hands, they bring a sense of magic to the streets, wrapped in color, movement, and a story worth wearing.