Maximilian Davis’ Spring/Summer 2024 collection for Salvatore Ferragamo, showcased at Milan Fashion Week, was a remarkable blend of Italian elegance and Caribbean influences. Backstage, Davis explained how he sought to reimagine the brand’s heritage by infusing a relaxed, organic ease into the collection. His inspirations spanned across eras and regions, drawing parallels between the laid-back Caribbean lifestyle and the effortless Italian approach to fashion.
Davis also took cues from the Arte Povera movement, integrating natural materials like linen and cotton with industrial elements to create modern, elevated everyday wear. The collection featured innovative textures, including fabrics treated to replicate leather, while accessories like wooden heels and sculpted details provided a fresh take on Ferragamo’s signature craftsmanship. Footwear, in particular, played a key role, with Davis reinterpreting Ferragamo’s iconic Oxfords and moccasins for a contemporary audience.
In the backstage atmosphere, Davis emphasized themes of liberation and emancipation, blending utilitarian outerwear with fluid dresses that moved with the models, embodying freedom and sensuality. The collection’s standout pieces included feathered evening gowns and intricate leather ‘scales,’ nodding to both 1920s fashion and the house’s roots in shoemaking innovation.
Davis continues to push boundaries at Ferragamo, modernizing its identity while staying true to its artisanal roots. His leadership has brought a youthful, dynamic energy to the brand, and his upcoming collections will likely build on these themes, expanding the Ferragamo narrative through bold, textured designs and cultural fusions.
