Max Mara looks to the pioneering women of the 1930s for its Spring/Summer 2027 collection, titled “Far Horizon”.
Inspired by figures including explorer Freya Stark, wildlife photographer Osa Johnson, cross-continental driver Eva Dickson, and aviators Amelia Earhart and Beryl Markham, the collection explores the spirit of women who ventured into unfamiliar territories and challenged the social expectations of their time.
The collection takes cues from the practical clothing and travel equipment associated with these women, translating their utilitarian approach into a contemporary wardrobe. At its centre is the safari jacket, reworked in textured linen and lustrous gabardine. The style is draped and knotted to one side in one interpretation, while another takes the form of a long, loose duster coat.
Utility is balanced with softer, more fluid pieces, including camiknickers repurposed as shorts, fluid gored skirts and slinky knits. The contrast between functionality and elegance continues through the collection’s tailoring, with pieces designed to combine practicality with a more polished aesthetic.
The cargo vest is cut to be worn over a sartorial jacket made from the same fabric, creating a coordinated approach to layering while retaining its functional purpose. Aviator references appear in sleek jackets detailed with leather straps and D-rings. Accessories follow the same practical direction, with multi-bags designed to be transformed between a crossbody, clutch and rucksack.
Other key pieces include utilitarian overalls made from organza and a voluminous trench coat featuring a low-slung belt. Across the collection, traditionally functional garments are reworked through lighter fabrics, fluid shapes and more considered proportions.
Max Mara frames the collection around the idea of contemporary endurance, shifting the focus from the remote landscapes associated with 1930s exploration to the demands of everyday life. The collection considers the school run, cross-town journeys and the transition between professional and evening settings as the modern equivalents of an expedition.
“Far Horizon” ultimately brings the determined spirit of its historical inspirations into a contemporary wardrobe, combining practical design with tailored and fluid elements for modern life.
