Founder of the eponymous label, Maximilian, 26-year-old Maximilian Davis has been named the newest creative director of Ferragamo. 

The designer, who pulled out of the running of the LVMH Prize just a few weeks ago, has made waves in the last few years as part of the Fashion East line-up. After studying at London College of Fashion and working under Grace Wales Bonner, Maximilian started his brand. He joined Fashion East, a non-profit collective that supports emerging UK talent in fashion with expert mentoring, financial resources and exposure in the fashion industry. 

Having staged his first runway show last year for the SS/22 season, Maximilian quickly became a rising British fashion star. His commitment to amplifying Black elegance and sexiness has been evident through each collection, often inspired by his Trinidadian heritage and tradition. Whether it’s ostrich headdresses, skin-baring cut-outs or sharp tailoring, Maximilian is an advocate for all things sexy and fearless, which makes sense when you think about how he’s been championed by the likes of Rihanna and Adwoa Aboah. 

The designer joins the 95-year-old luxury fashion house created by Salvatore Ferragamo, a shoe designer from Italy who gained popularity through his work with Hollywood stars like Marilyn Monroe and Judy Garland. 

Known for its craftsmanship with leather goods and honouring simple silhouettes, Ferragamo has always created with understated luxury in mind, making this partnership with Maximilian a match made in fashion heaven. Tasked with bringing a contemporary perspective to the brand, Maximilian fits the bill perfectly as one whose work, like Ferragamo, is defined by elegance and sensuality. His vision of the future of fashion is something the Italian leather goods company wants to tap into. CEO Marco Gobbetti stated, “The clarity of Maximilian Davis’s vision together with the level of execution and his powerful aesthetic make him one of the most brilliant talents of his generation”. He added, “he will write a new, exciting chapter for this house built on a heritage of creativity and outstanding human values.” 

Seeing young talent head up luxury houses isn’t new, but Maximilian’s new gig at Ferragamo is only the second time a Black British designer has been tapped to do so, after Ozwald Boateng’s appointment at Givenchy in 2004. With Black British designers focused instead on building their 

own brands and creating their own values, it will be interesting to see if and how Maximilian balances his latest role with his work at his label. If the past is any indication of how it’ll go, whether that’s Ozwald Boateng at Givenchy, Olivier Rousteing at Balmain, or the late, great Virgil Abloh at Louis Vuitton, it’s safe to say that Ferragamo is in good hands. 

Announcing the news on Instagram, Maximilian said, “Ferragamo represents a dedication to timeless elegance and sophistication that I find incredibly inspiring… I’m looking forward to articulating my vision, elevated by the codes of Italian craftsmanship, quality and innovation”. 

We can’t wait to see what he does next!

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