Max Mara Spring 2017 - Runway Review

Welcome to the jungle! Known for its luxurious winter coats, Max Mara showcased an effortless spring collection that delivered a one-two punch via an upbeat assortment that offered something for everyone.

Echoing the greenery climbing the show backdrop and growing out of the concrete runway, not to mention parrot calls, the collection jolted show attendees with color, texture and just plane ’ole wearable goodness. Inspiration came not from the recent Rio Olympics, but, rather, by Lina Bo Bardi, an Italian-born Brazilian architect known for her modernist buildings, timeless furniture and association with the Tropicália cultural movement of the Sixties.

Hence, the athleisure vibe of the collection. The jungle prints were a nod ode to how Bo Bardi incorporated rainforest greenery into buildings, and the black-and-white versions that opened the show were carved into pencil skirts, bustier jumpsuits and taut bomber jackets—among the key silhouettes in the show.

Hooded windbreakers, blousons, leggings, bodysuits and jaunty berets gave a jungle-moderne active aspect to cocooning double-face coats or zippered vests. Bombers and blousons outnumbered tailored jackets—although one beige linen skirtsuit was fabulous—and topped jumpsuits with pant legs cinched at the bottom with elastics.