Max Mara Spring 2017

Welcome to the jungle! Max Mara’s Spring 2017 Milan show was like a trip to the tropics. Visored models, who walked a concrete runway that sprouted grass in thin rows, wore pieces embellished with everything from safari greenery and exotic animal prints to mossy textures. The Italian house cited the works of Italian-born architect Lina Bo Bardi as the creative inspiration, who worked out of Brazil in the ’60s and became famous for her modernist approach. In addition to the athleisure fabrics, silhouettes like hooded jackets, corset-topped onesies, and jumpsuits dominated the collection, but the brand’s signature utilitarianism and classic tailoring were not entirely amiss. The trench coat, arguably Max Mara’s money-maker next to its handbags, didn’t make an appearance, but coats in other forms came covered in a variety of jungle leaf prints, save for a few semi-conservative solid white and black options—but even those came lined with hoodies. The playful approach to spring, a more challenging season for a brand who cashes in on its outerwear and knits, is certain to catch customers’ eyes when it lands in stores.