Max Mara Resort 2024

Max Mara took center stage in Stockholm as Ian Griffiths presented a captivating resort collection against the backdrop of the city’s light-filled ambiance. Inspired by a range of influences, the collection exuded femininity and youthful energy, showcasing Griffiths’ talent for weaving together diverse narratives into cohesive fashion statements.

Drawing from a variety of sources, Griffiths crafted a multifaceted origin story for the collection. Vikings and folklore, the progressive Queen Christina of Sweden, the female protagonists of Ibsen’s plays, Stockholm’s art-collecting luminaries, and suffrage activist Selma Lagerlöf all played a role in shaping the creative vision. However, Griffiths’ true genius lies in his ability to distill these complex concepts into garments that resonate regardless of one’s familiarity with the underlying inspiration.

To simplify the message, the collection predominantly embraced a monochromatic Ingmar Bergman aesthetic, highlighting the folkloric elements through a range of designs. Fair Isle snowflakes adorned waffled knit ponchos, while paper floral wreaths exuded a pagan charm. Pompom-trimmed drawstring cord belts added playful accents to signature cashmere coats, and folk-inspired fringed tassels embellished sleeveless tailored jackets.

Off-the-shoulder dresses, reminiscent of pre-Raphaelite elegance and Eleonora Duse’s allure, featured shirred midsections, voluminous sleeves, and skirts. The interplay of ivory shirting with black pussy bows or undone bow ties hinted at early 20th-century gender tensions, while sleekly tailored vests, pants, silk shirts, and boxers exuded modernity. Mohair fringed sequin check bombers and sweatshirts added contemporary flair.

The collection’s folkish aesthetic found expression in criss-cross stitching on smocked silk shirt-dresses, translated into crystal grosgrain edging on color-blocked dresses. The grand finale showcased floral motifs, representing the seven flowers traditionally collected on Midsummer’s eve to reveal one’s true love in a dream. Embroidered or rendered in jacquard, these blossoms adorned organza shirts, layered suits, midi-length vest tops, and an array of elegant dresses, each exuding a charm that defied conventional categorization.

Notably absent from the collection were the expected gowns that typically grace Max Mara runways. These traveling resort shows have empowered the house to confidently tell new stories and shed fresh light on their heritage, capturing the interest of a new generation of women.

Max Mara’s Stockholm presentation exemplified the brand’s commitment to empowering women through fashion, offering a collection that seamlessly blended sophistication, modernity, and timeless elegance.