Max Mara has revealed its Resort 2026 collection, titled Venere Vesuviana, with a dramatic presentation at the Baroque splendour of La Reggia di Caserta. 

The collection pays tribute to 75 years since the fashion house was founded in 1951, a year that also saw Ruth Orkin’s iconic image ‘American Girl in Italy’ capture a moment of bold, independent femininity.

The collection draws inspiration from post-war Italy and its cultural resurgence, particularly the women who embodied the era’s changing social landscape. While couturiers in Rome pursued nobility, founder Achille Maramotti focused on creating refined, practical garments for the emerging class of professional women. These were the “wives of doctors and lawyers” whom Maramotti predicted would help shape the modern world.

Venere Vesuviana weaves together North and South Italian archetypes, from sultry Southern sirens to frugal Northern matriarchs, under the shared concept of bella figura, the art of making a good impression. This duality is reflected in the garments, which blend understated elegance with bold sensuality.

The influence of Italian cinema is evident throughout the collection. References to films such as Napoli Milionaria, L’Oro di Napoli and Riso Amaro surface in the silhouettes and styling. Notably, high-waisted rolled shorts echo those worn by Silvana Mangano, while full-circle skirts with exaggerated pockets, portrait-collar tops, and slip dresses evoke the era’s glamour.

Max Mara has collaborated with Neapolitan tie-maker E. Marinella to reinterpret vintage cravat prints from 1951. These appear on silk pyjamas and oversized embroidered motifs on cashmere sweaters. The modern chiattillo (a style-conscious Neapolitan man) emerges through tailored looks featuring pink and blue striped shirts with white collars, lightweight jackets, and rakishly tilted fedoras.

Timeless coats remain a cornerstone of the brand’s identity, reimagined here with belted waists, shawl collars, funnel necks and fringe detailing. Eveningwear includes strapless gowns in structured panno, their inner silk gauze structures subtly visible at the neckline, adorned with crystal embellishments.

The show closed with a celebration of Neapolitan spirit, passion and empowerment, Max Mara’s homage to Partenope and the enduring legacy of Italian style.

maxmara.com