By Alexei Key
Maximilian Davis taps into Ferragamo‘s ballet heritage for Spring-Summer 2025, intertwining his personal journey with the brand’s rich history.
Drawing inspiration from moments like Salvatore Ferragamo‘s connection with dancer and anthropologist Katherine Dunham, and Rudolf Nureyev sporting custom Ferragamo ballet shoes in the ’80s, Davis translates these snapshots into a modern expression of freedom through fashion.
“I’ve always incorporated different historic eras in my work—eras which feel relatable to me and my heritage,” says Davis. “At Ferragamo, I’ve sought out similarities—and the beauty of this brand is that there are so many different stories you can relate to. Every shoe has a meaning behind it. Every shoe has a story.”
Uniting the balletic spirit across decades, the collection features second-skin cashmere cotton that’s layered, twisted, and tied, inspired by practice uniforms. Movement comes alive in ballooning silhouettes—think opera coats and parachute dresses in silk nylons, suede, and organza. Nureyev’s ’80s wardrobe influences oversized tailoring and technical tracksuits, while Dunham’s mid-century glamour appears through sequin embroidery updated with a resin finish.
There’s a hint of the Caribbean vibe: frayed, stonewashed denim, organic shapes, and rubber jelly moccasins. Raw finishes play against clean lines, with raised hemlines adding a romantic yet edgy touch.
Ferragamo’s signatures are subtly woven throughout. Intricately interlaced Gancini motifs showcase the brand’s leather craftsmanship, and the monogram surfaces in sustainable stonewashed denim jacquard and perforated satchel bags.
Footwear echoes the ballet theme—angular Eva pumps and graphic sandals lace up the calf with matte silk ribbons, merging tradition with minimalism. Fringed jacquard mules and geometric booties reinterpret a 1940s archival style for today.
In accessories, a new supple handbag emerges, gently collapsing with leather pierced by a metal Gancini. The iconic Hug bag gets a softer silhouette, transforming into clutches or featuring a single handle. The Foulard bag draws from the drape of scarves, including a two-piece hobo suspended from a leather Gancini chain.
Under Davis’s vision, Ferragamo continues to bridge its storied past with a fresh, contemporary outlook that’s both personal and resonant.
