Ian Griffiths, the creative genius behind Max Mara, recently showcased his collection in Venice. The brand hosted a fashion show on Tuesday, inviting celebrities like Kate Hudson, Kathy Hilton, Yara Shahidi, and Brie Larson to a covered balcony in the Palazzo Ducale overlooking St Mark’s Square.
Drawing inspiration from Marco Polo’s voyages and Venice’s cultural mingling, the resort collection was rich in Max Mara’s signature camel color but also featured sequins, brocades, and shimmering jacquard silks, evoking the lavish Fortuny fabrics famous in the lagoon, which Griffiths called “the birthplace of luxury.”
The collection features silk shirting, shorts with tassel belts, collared button-downs, and tight sweaters, paired with pannier-style pants. A low V-neck monastic maxi dress in teddy-bear brown resembles a Venetian woman with a gold bauble ring and owning a textile shop. Griffiths used intarsia knits, velvets, and patterns from fabric legend Fortuny.
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