Luxury house MAX MARA unveiled its Pre-Fall 2023 Collection titled The Iconoclassics that pays tribute to the legendary actress Marilyn Monroe. The collection focuses on Marilyn described in Elizabeth Winder’s “Marilyn in Manhattan: Her Year of Joy” book. It explores the year when Monroe educated herself, and bonded with writers and intellectuals, including her second husband to be, Arthur Miller. For the season, the brand also examines the way modern Marilyn would dress, and it brings looks such as curvaceous jeans and jeans jackets, man-size carpenter pants and mechanics overalls – always cinched with masculine belts, sheath dress, a full skirt and an iconic 101801 coat in techno-mesh.
“Camel coats, like the one in which Marilyn was snapped on the subway, are packed with iconographic codes. Originally tokens of masculine prestige, Max Mara has claimed to them to symbolise women’s empowerment. We present two styles drawn from the earliest examples in the historic Max Mara Archive. From 1961, a neatly proportioned belted wrap coat in camel coloured cashmere – rather like Marilyn’s – and for the in-between season an unlined double breasted cappottino, masterfully tailored for lightness. Another deserving recipient of the ‘iconic’ label is surely the Max Mara Teddy Bear Coat, which celebrates its tenth anniversary in 2023. Max Mara marks the occasion with a re-edition of the cuddly covetable classic in a delicious make-up shade and a new addition to the family. Inspired by Marilyn, ‘Teddy Teddino’ is a fluffy take on the jeans jacket. There’s a collectible commemorative T-shirt too, featuring photographs by the celebrated artist William Wegman of his famous Weimaraners wearing the cult coat.” – from Max Mara
Fashion photographer Vito Fernicola captured the lookbook featuring models Aylah Peterson and Maty Fall. In charge of styling was Sissy Vian. Discover every look from the collection the gallery below:
