Looking at the debut that took place at the last edition of Milan Fashion Week and the Pre-Fall 2023 proposal that has just seen the light of day, it’s more than clear that Maximilian Davis has come to Ferragamo to change the rules of the game, and by the looks of it, he’s taking it very well into his own territory.
For this second collection, Davis has further developed the narrative of his debut – remember how Spring/Summer 2023 was inspired by the languid glamour of a Los Angeles beachfront sunset? Well, Pre-Fall 2023 has a bit to do with that, as it focuses on Hollywood to explore a sweeping panorama of its landscape, where you can see the snow-capped peaks resting behind its sun-drenched hills or the arid desert that stretches beyond the city.
Hollywood has always been a special place for the brand, not just for what it means but for all the history that goes with it. As such, it plays a direct role in the collection, as one of Salvatore’s earliest cinematic endeavors was the creation of cowboy boots for The Covered Wagon in 1923, which became an informative influence. The western and the costume troops appear as a coherent concept, from the introduction of denim, raw and worn or flocked in velvet, and the detailing on pockets or belted bags and shoes. While we’re on the subject of accessories and footwear, these are characterized by the magnetic and desirable touch they add, in particular, the “Wanda” models and the woven beach tote; an iteration of the Prisma with a metal handle; or the new color versions of the Gancino, a tribute to Salvatore’s endless innovation and Ferragamo’s proud history.
Returning again to the line, it mixes warmth and sensuality with a fresh and distressed spirit, and explores and harmonizes the contrasts between beach and outerwear; immaculate fabrics and raw edges; between historic glamour and everyday glamour and casualness.
On the other hand, high-octane Hollywood glamour finds a modern sensibility through minimalist silhouettes expressed in extraordinary fabrics: a gold eel skin bodice dress or a cream silk two-piece quilted with down. “I want to create a new Hollywood for Ferragamo, and it’s about introducing new ways of dressing for both the red carpet and every day,” says Davis. It’s about looks that can be broken down into pieces and elevated by the techniques and materials used to create them. Basic tailoring silhouettes and everyday essentials are executed with exacting finesse; the precise hand of Ferragamo’s ateliers takes center stage.
An undercurrent of fetishism, omnipresent in Davis’s work, is visible above all in the high-gloss finishes: the extraordinary luster of patent leathers or leathers that are wiped clean with a cloth. But a general sensuality prevails throughout the work.
In short, Maximilian Davis proposes and offers a modern and casual closet, with key accents and accessories designed to stand out, with which Ferragamo once again places itself in a key position in the fashion industry.
Take a look at the collection below:
