THREADS OF LIBERATION

Max Mara’s Autumn/Winter 24 collection draws on the essence of Colette, the French author and feminist icon of the early 20th century, who defied societal norms to craft her own narrative of strength and self-possession. Known not only for her fearless exploration of feminine identity but also for the emotional depth and complexity of her writing, Colette created literature that often-rejected conventions to reveal the raw, unapologetic strength within womanhood. Through vivid portrayals of desire, independence, and introspection, she celebrated women as multi-dimensional beings, both soft and powerful, sensual and unrestrained. This sentiment flows through Max Mara’s designs this season: classic silhouettes are reimagined with unexpected twists, delicate fabrics are grounded by assertive tailoring, and luxurious textures feel both inviting and commanding.

Each piece in the collection resonates with the defiant elegance of Colette’s characters, paying homage to the liberated women she portrayed in her works. By translating the spirit of her writing into form and fabric, Max Mara offers a wardrobe that speaks to the modern woman, one who, like Colette’s heroines, embraces every facet of her identity with unapologetic confidence. Just as Colette’s prose revealed the raw strength within womanhood, the collection champions a modern femininity defined by both power and grace. Breaking free from convention, it encourages women to express themselves fully, embodying the multifaceted nature of the women Colette so boldly portrayed.

Leaning into Max Mara’s Autumn/Winter show mood and Colette’s literature, the LN-CC in-house creative team orchestrates a purposeful framework inspired by the art of London-based designer Michael Anastassiades. Known for transcending the boundaries between product design, spatial interventions, and experimental works, Anastassiades’ creations reflect a deep understanding of complexity within simplicity. His approach, distilling complex ideas into simple, elegant structures, echoes Colette’s exploration of multi-dimensional womanhood, where softness and strength coexist within a single, prevailing identity. Just as Max Mara’s designs this season blend classic elegance with bold autonomy, Anastassiades’ work reflects an ongoing dialogue between minimalism and multifaceted expression. His creations, like Colette’s heroines and Max Mara’s empowered women, challenge conventions and invite deeper engagement, offering a timeless, refined aesthetic that is both modern and resonant.

Together, Colette’s literary legacy, Max Mara’s innovative craftsmanship, and Anastassiades' refined simplicity converge to celebrate a liberated, multi-dimensional femininity, encouraging women to embrace their full identity with confidence, sophistication, and grace. Whether through Colette’s bold prose, Max Mara’s reimagined silhouettes, or Anastassiades' minimalist structures, each element offers a vision of womanhood that is complex, unapologetic, and unbound by convention. This fusion of art, design, and literature creates a powerful dialogue that resonates with the modern woman, inspiring her to break free from societal constraints and express herself fully. In the intersection of these influences, a new, confident femininity emerges, one that is at once elegant, assertive, and timeless.