Babesta Beat AW18

What began as a small collection including bedding, playmats, toys and accessories with only a few clothes has turned into a robust fashion line—this season cool, trendy and unisex separates, trimmed with sporty details on easy to-wear cotton garments and mixed with boho-inspired styles. The idea, says Zinell, “was to mix urban life with traditional sailor pieces to create a cozy winter cabin feeling.” Looking back on the years she says the biggest challenge in developing the brand was the break up with her former partner and remains thankful that her family and the amazing team gave so much support at that time and helped her continue to build. “I couldn’t have done it alone.” Noé & Zoë has evolved over the years says Zinell in terms of the quality of fabrics, prints and manufacturing. “Moving our production to Portugal has been one of the best decisions,” she says. Zinell takes the most pride in how far the brand has come—it’s currently represented in 20 different countries and in 68 different retailers across the world. After over a decade designing Noé & Zoë, she sees the industry at-large now as overcrowded with copycat brands, though she admits she spots 2-3 new labels every year doing something fresh. Freshness is something that Zinell works hard on each season. From finding an inspiration, choosing fabrics and patterns and developing a rough outline to actual production, the process can take 3-6 months at a time. Her international childhood is top of mind when she designs the back-to-school collection for Noé & Zoë. Zinell recalls her own back-to school experience, namely in first grade at the French school she attended in Morocco sited in a beautiful old villa with a huge garden. “In the garden we’d have PE class where I’d be hiding in trees and playing football on a dusty square,” she says. Equal parts romantic, nostalgic and playful, it’s these memories—fleeting beautiful moments of freedom and fun— that are enough to give anyone fernweh . FAMILY MUSTS IN BERLIN “Do a city tour by boat on the spree, stop by the playground at Weinsberg Park on Kastanienallee or explore the Gleisdreieck Park. Visit Tempelhofer Feld, have ice cream at Hokey Pokey and dinner at Prater.” -Nici Zinell, Noé & Zoë