Mistral Zerbi

FASHION PORTFOLIO

Designer for DONT WALK (2023)

In 2023, I joined the creative team of DONT WALK, one of the UK’s leading student-run charity fashion shows, as an in-house designer. My role involved conceptualising and producing original pieces for the runway. Collaborating closely with a team of over 80 students — including stylists, models, and fellow designers — I contributed to the creation of a cohesive aesthetic that tied together the show’s vision.
DONT WALK has built an international reputation since its early days, famously launching Kate Middleton on its runway in 2002.

Designed for DONT WALK 2023, themed “Iridescence,” this collection explores the fluid spectrum of femininity through fabrics and their relation to light.

Drawing inspiration from the biblical figures Lilith and Eve, the two main designs reinterpret these archetypes through textile behaviour — contrasting transparency and opacity, softness and structure. The gold Eve dress employs metallic lamé to reflect light with every step, while the black Lilith gown uses matte jersey and a bold side cut held together by bobby pins to define the silhouette through a deliberate play on exposure and restraint.

Two other designs, made of lightweight black tulle and navy organza, extend this study in material contrast. The sheer tulle composition with a gathered halter neckline and layered skirt, creates volume through delicacy. The navy corset dress blends form and fluidity — a structured bodice balanced by a translucent overlay that moves with the body and transforms in motion. All pieces respond to Iridescence by shifting character under different lighting conditions, revealing the many surfaces of femininity through fabric, texture, and movement. All designs were showcased on the DONT WALK runway in 2023.