Gwyneth Paltrow, Karen Wazen, Hadise And Daniella Rahme Channel Italian Elegance At The Max Mara Resort 2026 Show in Naples
A love letter to Italian style unfolded at the grand La Reggia di Caserta
It’s not often that everyone gets a front row seat at a fashion show. But then, no other brand has ever unveiled their latest collection at the Baroque Reggia di Caserta palace. The majestic space – with a grand hallway so long that every A-lister, from Gwyneth Paltrow to Paris and Nicky Hilton, Alexa Chung and Lee Sung-Kyung plus regional names like actress Daniella Rahme, Turkish singer Hadise and Karen Wazen, got a prime perch alongside the world’s press – saw models glide down marble staircases and stride confidently in a collection that was inspired by bella figura, channeling the elegance of vintage Italian film.
The opulent setting, a former home of Queen Mara Carolina – Maria Antoinette’s sister – is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and proved to be the perfect backdrop for an iconic catwalk show.
“The first thought I had was that this was the collection that would mark the opening of our 75th year. I wanted to look at the history of the brand, and the history of Italian fashion which I think is quite unique and distinct from the fashion of any other country in the world. It is really telling that you talk about Italian fashion today as a thing. Italian fashion, Italian style – we don’t do that with any other country,” Max Mara Creative Director Ian Griffiths explained exclusively to Bazaar Arabia.
Cinematic, relaxed elegance was the order of the day. Crystal-studded gowns, high-waisted short-suits with relaxed blazers, sensual slips, bustiers and bralettes, teamed with chic but eminently wearable loafers and editorial over-the-knee boots elicited non-stop applause from the appreciative audience.
“I know that sometimes you think my inspiration is from the past but I live in the present day and I want everything we do to be completely contemporary,” Ian continued. “The reason why I use images form the past so much is because I think that when something has happened, we can really understand it. Contemporary culture is harder to get your head around because it is still happening. When I look at the films from the ’50s, I get a very strong and clear message that I can interpret and I can translate into something contemporary for today.” The designer cited celluloid classics like Riso Amaro – a movie about female workers in a rice field – and Napoli Milionaria as a driving force behind this collection that encapsulated the spirit of effortless Italian style.
The label’s quintessential Whitney tote – named when the New York Witney Museum of Art opened its doors – is celebrating its tenth anniversary and was seen in a variety of sizes and fabrics, with four new iterations taking to the catwalk. If 2025 was heralded the year of raffia, that sets to continue into the next Resort season too, as a key piece turned out to be a made of the weave, paired with a leather trim.
Coats are the hallmark of every Max Mara collection and there were gasps as a high-neck, white belted number came into view. A short, pale pink textured option – one of very few colours seen in the usual neutral, muted Max Mara palette – was another modern silhouette that epitomised easy-to-wear, modern luxury.
“We are always quite muted but there were shots of pink and blue from the Marinella inspiration from the menswear ties – just a tiny little bit of colour,” mused Ian. “I don’t think Max Mara is ever going to break out into riotous colour, but watch this space. Never say never!” He was referring to the fact that the proudly Italian brand partnered with famous Neapolitan tie-maker E. Marinella to provide printed fabrics that were fashioned into silk pyjama sets, shirts and skirts, ensuring that the collection had a strong sense of place.
This collection was joyful, playful, fun. “I think that the way you feel about designing a collection shows in the final product itself; I always feel like it should never be a labour,” Ian told us. “Clothes should be easy to wear. And if they are easy to wear, they should be easy to design. I am not saying that anyone can do it but there has to be a naturalness, a spontaneity about it. This image of the designer sitting over his desk and racking his or her brain for the newest idea simply never worried me. I always felt the important thing was to provide what is going to make women feel good.” And in that respect, the Max Mara Resort 2026 show undeniably delivered.
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