September 25, 2026 |
“And the category is, real life chic,” declared Max Mara’s Ian Griffiths after showing a SS27 collection that cross pollinated utility, with a heavy dose of Italian luxury.
Bomber jackets, aviator jackets and cargo pants came in textured linen or lustrous gabardine. Multi pocket utility vests were layered over matching tailored jackets. Safari jackets were elongated to duster coat proportions, knits were lean and elegant. This was a wardrobe for an urban jungle. Griffiths said he wanted to express, “the idea of getting dressed in the morning and getting up and going places with an amount of panache, that gives you the confidence you need to get through to the evening.”
Griffiths mood board for this can-do Max Mara wardrobe, featured photographs of the 20th century’s most intrepid women: the aviator Amelia Earhart, wildlife photographer Osa Johnson, cross-continental driver Eva Dickson and the trail blazing 20th Century British explorer Dame Freya Stark who travelled extensively in the Middle East and Arabian deserts.
“The women we looked at were all very audacious women. They were pioneers of their time, and they’re all noted for wearing very, very stylish but practical clothes,” he says, noting that “Even the sunglasses were inspired by Amelia Earhart’s aviator goggles.” But the real star of the show is the modern Max Mara woman, said Griffiths.
“In a way, this is only a prelude to the real presentation of the collection, which will be, for me, seeing a woman walk down the street, wearing these clothes, because more than ever, we’re focussing on the simple mantra of real clothes, for real women.” Real chic.
Photography courtesy of Max Mara.
