Photo: Courtesy Max Mara
The return of travel and vacationing has been eagerly welcomed by jet-setters this year. Making it that much better? The ideal wardrobe to dress up in. Italian fashion label Max Mara is of the same mind as creative director Ian Griffiths draws upon the golden age of travel portrayed in author Truman Capote’s Local Color for the Resort 2022 collection. Think mid-century silhouettes with sportswear accents made for the modern woman who is once again free to be on the go in the post-pandemic world.
Photo: Courtesy Max Mara
“During lockdown, I read a lot about travel because I figured that’s what everyone would be dreaming about,” shares Griffiths with Vogue Arabia. “So I went to my favorite authors, looking for something that talked specifically about the golden age of travel, but at the same time relevant to now. I discovered that Truman Capote had written a series of charming essays about his travels. The book, Local Color, is out of print but I managed to get hold of a copy and I was mesmerized by his descriptions of slow travel… Really slow travel.”
Capote’s description of spending four months in Ischia, where he simply observed the details of local life, inspired Griffiths to create pieces that enrich the experience of traveling, particularly, “the act of getting somewhere.” The collection is also inspired by and made for the women who lived an “incredibly glamorous lifestyle” of planning their travels around their wardrobes. “When you think about Truman Capote, you can’t get away from the ‘swans,'” explains Griffiths. “They were central features of his life; fascinating women who lived a life of great privilege and luxury and dedicated to being perfect in every situation. They used to curate their wardrobe in an almost professional way, descending on Paris twice a year to put it together, and then, while they were waiting for it to be assembled, they would fly off to a place like Ischia for a little downtime.”
Photo: Courtesy Max Mara
This modern Max Mara woman is envisioned as Rym Saidi, the Tunisian actor, model, and mother of two who previously fronted the cover of Vogue Arabia with her husband Wissam Breidy. Highlights of the collection include a new silhouette with skirts that gather below the waist, a suit featuring the same gathering motif, an espadrille-sandal hybrid, a pull-on dress, and a sporty long coat.
Photo: Courtesy Max Mara
