Maryam Nassir Zadeh Follows Her Own Path

New York City’s cult favorite retailer cum designer Maryam Nassir Zadeh presented an eclectic mix of separates that stayed true to her modus operandi of playing by her own rules. Zadeh is never one to stay on fashion’s straight and narrow path but rather chooses to design based on her and her friends’ lives.

The native New Yorker spent most of her summer hopping from one Mediterranean coast to another, in looks that were both put together and effortlessly cool. She paired many a bandeau swim top with circle skirts in colors that complimented the terrain of whatever country she was in, whether her backdrop be the crystal-clear blue waters of Greece or the terracotta walls of Spain. Zadeh’s summer style clearly translated into her most recent show presented during New York’s Fashion Week. ​

Models of all ages, ethnicities, and body types flanked the runway in a variety of colors, prints, and daring silhouettes. The biker short trend for Spring was present but was styled in an unexpectedly feminine way, as opposed to the sporty vibe that has saturated the market. Zadeh chose to tone down the literalism of the biker short by pairing the bottoms with a delicately crocheted maillot and glittery heels. She brought a feminine touch to the otherwise functional garment.

Aside from the biker short, Zadeh veered away from the tried and true Spring trends and made her own by utilizing swimwear as ready-to-wear and by pairing unexpected items with otherwise classic pieces. She drew inspiration from her own closet by pairing swim bandeaus with colorful tiered prairie skirts and by layering a bold yellow crochet halter top over a muted ribbed knit button-down cardigan-skirt set. Zadeh isn’t one to shy away from print, so a variety of florals, plaids, and a daring zebra print were mixed in with pops of blues, reds, and fluorescent greens to create a story that is reminiscent of Zadeh’s own eclectic style.

As mentioned, Zadeh finds inspiration in her friends and colleagues, many of whom walked the show in her designs. Fashion designer and artist, Susan Cianciolo graced the runway in a leopard print maillot, layered with a corset and topped with a signature trench coat - yet another nontraditional way to incorporate swimwear into one’s everyday wardrobe. Viceland host, Hailey Benton Gates wore Zadeh’s summer style tango red tiered skirt with a black crop top, styled with neon yellow heels and a lace-up-the-arm pouch. Each look was distinctly Zadeh and styled with bags, jewelry, and belts that never felt out of place, because after all, what’s more MNZ than a yellow rope belt paired with a floral dress with a swim top layered over it?

The show couldn’t have ended without a surprise element, from which Zadeh didn’t shy away. A model in a tiny zebra-striped bikini, flanked by magenta leis, strutted down the runway to close the show - a nonconventional look that sets Zadeh apart from her peers and solidifies her standing as New York’s “cool girl” designer.