Ian Griffiths, envisioning pre-fall as a time for transitional pieces, reflects on the anticipation and optimism that come with the end of summer holidays and the return to city life. For the Max Mara designer, optimism is a much-needed sentiment in today’s world.
Inspired by New York’s Whitney Museum and Alexander Calder’s Cirque Calder, a 1931 miniature circus artwork, Griffiths infused the collection with an upbeat, cheerful vibe. The palette, concise yet lively, featured bright red, black, white, and the signature Max Mara camel. The pieces exuded a youthful spirit with a touch of razzmatazz, adorned with eye-catching graphics like stripes, polka dots, stars, and leopard spots. Pareo miniskirts, blazer bodysuits, leggy all-in-ones, and panier shorts with flared-peplum, bell-sleeved tailored jackets added to the collection’s easy and sassy allure.
A belted trench coat, a Max Mara staple, took on a new form in a soft caramel shade, slightly oversized with cable-knitted sleeves. Introducing fresh shapes, Griffiths presented a biker jacket elongated into a city coat zippered sideways, and a short double-breasted black coat made in see-through techno mesh. Aimed at a younger audience, the pre-fall collection is designed to appeal to a broad demographic, offering styles for women of different ages who desire a youthful look.
