A journey to discover the origins of luxury, leading to Venice along the Silk Road. Max Mara’s Resort 2025 collection will be unveiled on Tuesday, June 11, at the Doge’s Palace in Venice. The event will narrate humanity’s passion for beauty through cultural blends between the East and the West, timeless architectural marvels, and a virtual homage to Marco Polo. Ian Griffiths, Max Mara’s creative director, revealed a curious detail about the final looks of the show to MFF: they are reinterpretations of designs he originally created for his graduation collection, inspired by Venice itself.
Why did you choose to showcase the resort collection in Venice?
This is a historic moment in which we must reflect on the meaning of things, asking ourselves what luxury is, what its market is, its origins, and where it was born. Venice was the cradle of the luxury market during the Middle Ages, thanks to the Silk Road. This city has conquered the world, much like Italian fashion has over the past 150 years. By looking at history, we can understand the origins of humanity’s drive towards beauty. It is reassuring for me to know that there has always been, and will always be, a desire for luxury.
What fascinated you about this location?
The Doge’s Palace was described by John Ruskin (author of The Stones of Venice, ed.) as «the most important building in the world». When I chose Venice, I wanted the most iconic location representing the beauty and glory of the city and its culture.
How has this city inspired your work?
I revisited some notebooks from my school days in the 1980s. Not from my time at the Royal College, where I did my master’s, but from Manchester, where I graduated with a project inspired by the architecture of St. Mark’s Basilica and other Venetian buildings. The richness of the floors, the shapes of the pointed arches, the loggia of the Doge’s Palace… The final looks of the show will be the pieces I created for my school collection 40 years ago, revisited for today. They will walk the runway for the second time. This demonstrates how Venice is eternal, an expression of beauty that never goes out of style.
How is this translated into the fashion show?
The architecture of Venice is translated into fabric designs blending Eastern and Western elements. These include cashmere patterns, botanical shapes, and imagery that blend cultures. I wanted to explore the concept of richness that emerges when one culture influences another. This year, the theme of the Art Biennale also centers on migration and its impacts on culture.
Are there any female figures that have inspired you?
Venice itself is my muse, depicted in the paintings of Tiziano, Tiepolo, and Tintoretto. A magnificent, glorious, and courageous woman who also embodies justice. I have also been inspired by female figures like Veronica Franco and Caterina Cornaro, who had remarkable careers. However, there is also a male figure who has inspired me, Marco Polo. This year marks the 700th anniversary of his death. He represents courage. Merchants like him helped create strong female figures in Venice; when they were away, women ran the businesses.
What is it like to work on resort collections? Do you feel freer compared to those showcased during fashion week?
It is different because we showcase them in locations that help tell a story. You can really immerse yourself in the work for resort collections, in the atmosphere of these shows…
You mentioned strong women. How would you describe Max Mara’s woman today?
Max Mara’s woman today is much prouder, more confident, and determined compared to the idea of women when I joined the Company in 1987. She wants to express herself through her way of dressing. In the 1980s, power dressing was like a uniform. Today, no one wants to wear a uniform. The more successful a woman becomes, the more she wants her personality to shine through.
How have you managed to develop this idea of femininity while staying true to the Brand’s heritage?
My motto has always been «real clothes for real women». We always envision a real woman who walks not only on the runway but also on the streets. The runway is an amplified version of real life, and I want people to see themselves in what we create.
What do you want Max Mara’s clients to feel when wearing your creations?
I believe our main goal is to give them something they can wear and forget they are wearing, while still wanting to be noticed. When it comes to clothing, I always tell people that if they have any doubts about something, they should take it off because those doubts will only grow throughout the day, and by evening, they will be impatient to change their clothes.
Is there a creation that you are particularly proud of?
I hope the best is yet to come. If you believe you have already done your best, then you are finished. There are pieces like the Teddy coat that have been incredibly successful, and I am grateful for that. But I always want to look forward. (All rights reserved)
