Salvatore Ferragamo’s New Creative Director: Maximilian Davis

COURTESY OF LEE WHITTAKER/FERRAGAMO

Maximilian Davis has been given the title as Salvatore Ferragamo’s creative director. His role was effective March 16 while working alongside CEO Marco Gobbetti who changed the game for the brand Celine. Davis takes pride in his work and performs tasks with such an elegance making him an ideal candidate for Ferragamo. 

As a 26-year-old designer, born in Manchester with his roots as a Trinidadian-Jamaican, Davis channels his cultural connection in his work. He studied at the prestigious London College of Fashion. During his studies, Davis interned as a junior designer with Grace Wales Bonner who became a major influence and mentor in his life. She inspired his first collection embracing Blackness especially during a heightened time of the Black Lives Matter movement. 

Without moving to London on his own meeting a new community, he wouldn’t have been able to explore his independence to the extent he did which would further carry into his ability of creating his own label. His best friend, who is also a London-based designer, Mowalola Ogunlesi, was a huge advocate for Davis to start his own collection. 

COURTESY OF FASHION EAST

Davis began creating a few designs for his portfolio in his bedroom. The pandemic hit and he felt as though he was stuck with all of this clothing for no one to see. He then proceeded to apply to Fashion East, a non-profit designer support organization, to showcase his designs. Weeks later, Davis was asked to expand his designs to present a full collection for the incubator’s Spring/Summer 2021 show. 

His collection embodied the Trinadadian Carnival. The history behind the carnival stemmed from the event in which slaves were forced to perform for their masters. They were not allowed to attend the carnival themselves until emancipation in 1838. As a result, Trinidadians started their own masquerade balls. They would dance, make costumes, and wear masks that expressed their identity and culture. 

COURTESY OF FASHION EAST

Davis emphasizes the histories that have been erased through his collection. He embraces Blackness and his Trinidadian-Jamaican culture in his first collection by showing how Black people can also be a part of this elegance in the fashion industry. For a while, white European models took the spotlight, but there are many other beautiful people that need to be acknowledged. Davis does just that and then some to show Black models and styles in a way they have never been shown before. 

Davis’ collection blends 19th-century tailoring with 2000s cutouts. With slashed dresses and tops, color-blocking, and sheer mesh, Davis highlights the sexiness and elegance of Blackness rooted with past history. Davis mentions how each of his collections will not always be so serious. It will of course have a fun aspect. However, he experiments with race and identity in fashion and strongly impacts perspectives for other brands.

Kim Kardashian, Rihanna, and Dua Lipa are few of many who are fond of Davis’ work. After withdrawing from the prestigious LVMH prize, Ferragamo gave Davis the opportunity to work as their new creative director, and it was probably one of the best decisions they could have ever made. He will further reshape the game.