Max Mara’s Tribute to Hypatia: Where Fashion Meets Geometry and Feminine Power
Max Mara is renowned for honoring trailblazing women throughout history, and this season, the spotlight shines on Hypatia of Alexandria. A mathematician, philosopher, and astronomer from the fourth century, Hypatia’s contributions were heavily influenced by Pythagorean principles. The geometric equations she developed, illustrated through diagrammatic triangles, echo the transformative techniques employed by dressmakers, who create three-dimensional garments from flat fabrics—akin to magical darts that defy the ordinary.
Max Mara's Tribute to Hypatia: Where Fashion Meets Geometry and Feminine Power
In this collection, Max Mara embraces these mathematical inspirations, showcasing designs that feature external stitching reminiscent of trigonometric diagrams. Asymmetric origami-like clusters flow from the shoulder and hip, reimagining the draped gowns of Hypatia’s era. Columnar knitted skirts and dresses with body-hugging ribs hint at a high priestess’s attire, while creative interpretations of Hypatia’s explorations into geometry yield elliptical silhouettes that reveal glimpses of the body—be it a sliver of shoulder or a bare back. The collection’s sleek lines are further defined by jackets featuring a sharp, narrow shoulder design.
Embracing chaos theory, which encourages the acceptance of the unexpected, Griffiths introduces a collection rooted in geometry and precision. It juxtaposes impeccably crafted linear fabrics with crumpled silks, creating a tension between order and spontaneity.
In this world where aesthetics seamlessly fuse with meticulous technical construction, even a simple poplin shirt is elevated to a design statement. Max Mara’s latest offerings include a series of shirts and wrapped dresses that embody the essence of “summer in the city.”
Drawing color inspiration from laboratory glassware, the collection features shades including crystalline white, deep delphinium blue, and the rich, dark hue of copper oxide. With this, Max Mara encapsulates a sense of cool, enchanting chemistry, inviting both admiration and reflection on the beauty of integrating science into the art of fashion.
