S Max Mara
The Italian ready-to-wear house founded in 1951 by designer Achille Maramotti. Freshly graduated in law, Maramotti unexpectedly decided to dedicate himself to haute-couture, a passion passed down from his great-grandmother. A precursor of manufactured high-quality women's clothing - breaking with the traditional hand-crafted activity of the nineteenth century - the avant-garde brand is now renowned throughout the world for its double-breasted coats, elegant cashmeres and feminine dresses as well as sophisticated leather and fur pieces. Luxurious fabrics, subtle prints and a subdued colour palette (camel, navy, cream, rich reds), make for a timeless style that captures Italian quality and exquisite craftsmanship. Some of the world’s most famous designers such as Karl Lagerfeld, Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, Dolce&Gabbana and Narciso Rodriguez have contributed in transforming a family-owned business into a highly desirable international fashion house.