When Mathematics Meets Fashion
It might seem unlikely, but that's exactly what we witnessed at the Max Mara Spring-Summer 2025 show in Italy’s capital during Milan Fashion Week.
Contrary to what one might expect, these two worlds—fashion and mathematics—walk hand in hand. After all, no garment can achieve a flawless fit without calculations. This was explained by the brand's creative director, Ian Griffiths, who has been leading Max Mara for over 30 years.
The show was distinctly geometric, blending timeless classics with mathematical precision. It looked back at the brand's heritage but with a modern twist. Though the designer drew inspiration from Ancient Greece, this is a collection for the contemporary woman. In fact, Griffiths' muse, Hypatia of Alexandria, was a woman ahead of her time. A pioneer in her own right—mathematician, astronomer, and philosopher—Hypatia was one of the few women of her era to pursue scholarly studies. Tragically, she was assassinated in 415 AD.
The collection, titled "Science and Magic," skillfully merges these two elements with precision.
Much of Hypatia’s work was based on Pythagoras’ theories. As Max Mara explained, "These equations, expressed in the form of diagrammatic triangles, are like the simple arrows a seamstress uses to transform a flat sheet of fabric into a living, three-dimensional structure."
According to Griffiths, "The Max Mara woman should appear to be in control and possess a sharp eye." She is chic, elegant, active, vibrant, and full of magic.
The collection featured 48 impeccable silhouettes, composed of neutral tones alongside hues inspired by scientific laboratories: crystalline white, copper oxide, deep Delfin blue, and silver nitrate came together in perfect harmony.
The shapes ranged from form-fitting pieces to more voluminous designs, with one-shoulder cuts, strategic cutouts, hot pants, and shirts that transformed into draped dresses reminiscent of laboratory coats. The tailoring was flawless, as expected from Max Mara, a brand that masters classic designs like no other. The tailoring was paired with bikini tops or fully buttoned shirts that reached up to the neck.
A DOUBLE PLAY!
A standout feature was the bags, which served a dual purpose: functioning as pouches cinched around the waist. We also saw geometric sandals, drawing from antiquity but with a modern edge, perfect for both day and evening wear.
Like a precise calculation balancing the Maison’s DNA, history, and the present, Max Mara's collection promises to keep us forever elegant and radiant.
Photo credits @piernicolabruno and Mara Mara
