For SS26, Maximilian Davis continued his foray into 1920s dressing, harking back to the decade in which Ferragamo was founded. Previous seasons have seen the designer reference the Italian house’s ties to 1920s ballet dancers Katherine Dunham and Rudolf Nureyev, as well as the decade’s liberating dress codes for women. “This was a moment where women were creating a new femininity – it was a celebration of freedom, a reclaiming of self. It was a period when people were creating spaces for themselves and rebelling against societal norms – and that spirit translated into people’s wardrobes,” said Davis. 

Uncovering a 1925 portrait of silent film star Lola Todd from the brand’s archive, dressed in a full leopard print look, sparked Davis’ exploration of the ‘Africana’ movement of the jazz age. Translating into a collection which revelled in the playful modification of fabric and textures, silk satin devoré patterns reimagining feathers or fur markings spread across slip dresses and skinny scarves. Fringing accented speakeasy suiting, trailing behind models as they walked the carpeted runway, dresses were designed with dropped waists or sheer organza panelling, paired with satin Boudoir mules and a new iteration of the brand’s Hug bag. Davis’ menswear offering expanded this season, building a wardrobe of Harlem Renaissance zoot suits inspired by the dandy eccentricity of the decade, replacing traditional ties with silk scarves and cinching tuxedos with wrapped waistlines.