Earthy Opulence: The Best Looks From Max Mara's Resort 2025 Show in Venice

Max Mara's Resort 2025 collection opened with an array of camel coats, presented in striking shades of black, white, and light brown. The collection then transitioned to luxurious silks in subtle hues reminiscent of the fabrics Marco Polo might have transported from ancient Japan through Constantinople. "I was interested in exploring the beauty generated by the meeting of cultures," remarked Ian Griffiths, Max Mara's creative director. "Venice, in the Middle Ages, was the cradle of what we call luxury today, a true crossroads between East and West."

The outerwear offerings were particularly bold, ranging from elegant robes de chambre to versatile parkas, trench coats, and tabards. Standout pieces included duster coats and asymmetrically draped velvet dresses adorned with prints inspired by the mosaics of San Marco. Griffiths reflected on the personal significance of these designs, sharing, "My last collection in school was inspired by the mosaics of San Marco, created with a colleague at Manchester Polytechnic. It's exhilarating to see those studies come to life on the catwalk today."

The show was further elevated by dramatic elements such as large flared and puffed sleeves, turbans created in collaboration with renowned milliners Stephen Jones and Jean Paul Gaultier, and opulent velvet pannier skirts. These designs evoked the grandeur of paintings by Bellini and Carpaccio, masterpieces that depict the cultural exchanges and sometimes tensions between East and West. Venice’s central role in the medieval political landscape, and its enduring influence, was poignantly reflected in each piece, offering a visual dialogue that honours the city’s storied past.