‘Zambesi casts “trends” aside in favour of expressing its own soul. It is a soul that is innovative, feminine and at times angelic.’

NE OF the darlings of every Mercedes Australian Fashion Week covered by Lucire is, consistently, Zambesi. There isn't an easy way to describe the style other than to remark that designer Elisabeth Findlay always comes up with a signature style of her own: it is fashionable for the season and timeless at once. Fashion media, normally reporting on fickle cycles and fleeting moments, find agreement with this label, which casts "trends" aside in favour of expressing its own soul. It is a soul that is innovative, feminine and at times angelic.
   When interviewed by Lucire, the Findlays stressed that Zambesi was not about seasonal changes. By designing for the customer, a Zambesi wearer can take a garment from her wardrobe five years on and find it hasn't dated. As any good business knows, understanding and capitalizing on brand values makes sense. Zambesi is one of the few fashion houses to understand this.
   Summer 2001 is perhaps more significant for Zambesi. Shown in Sydney in May 2000, the collection comes during the 21st anniversary of the company, founded by Elisabeth and Neville Findlay in Auckland, New Zealand.