Into The Wild Blue Yonder: Max Mara Heads Out To Sea For Fall 2020
Since time immemorial the ocean has held sway over our imaginations, and for Fall 2020, Max Mara heeded its call and set sail into uncharted waters. Creative director Ian Griffiths has looked into the wide blue yonder, dreaming up a collection awash in maritime references, as the Max Mara woman escapes the confines of her desk and embarks on an adventure from Morocco to Murmansk.
Romantic ruffles and fanciful frills softened the sharp tailoring characteristic of the heritage house. Puffed sleeves were made even more dramatic with tiered flounces, while asymmetrical flounced skirts peeked out from double-breasted jackets and blazers. Trailing rope belts cinched the waist of long coats and loose-fitting, high-waisted trousers, and tassels swished jauntily from the toggle closures of duffel coats. The famed Teddy Bear coat was reborn as luxuriant robe-de-chambres and hooded shearling coat, while the classic camel coat was transformed into a sweeping cape. Looks were finished with wharf worker beanies and gloves, as well as sizeable slouchy carryalls. Pinstripes and mariner stripes were the only exceptions to the otherwise monochrome palette of grey, white, camel, and of course, navy. At once capricious yet level-headed, the Italian label deftly navigated the sartorial sea with a collection fit for seafarers and landlubbers alike.
And the front row proved just as alluring as the show. Gemma Chan, who was honoured with this year’s Women In Film Max Mara Face Of The Future Award®, looked every inch the star in a black and white ensemble from the brand’s Pre-Fall 2020 collection. She was joined by the likes of Hikari Mori (our September 2019 cover star), Chiara Ferragni, Sinéad Burke, Helena Bordon, Caroline Daur, Giulia Michelini, and more. See what they wore below:
