Monat: März 2024

Eileen Gray and Lee Miller. Two contemporary female icons who are a great source of inspiration for a brand like Max Mara, as well as the undisputed stars of the new eyewear collection designed by Marcolin. The first one is an Irish architect and designer, as well as a globally recognized pioneer of the modernist movement, who graced the pages of British Vogue back in 1917 and who, in Paris in the 1920s, combined her work in architecture with her work on the series production of tubular steel furniture pieces (her adjustable table E-1027 is part of the permanent collection of MoMA in New York). A world-famous model who later became a sophisticated and fearless photographer, Lee Miller is a leading figure in the surrealist movement but also a war photographer, actually one of the first (and the only woman) to capture the liberation of Paris and the Nazi concentration camps.

Max Mara, a brand that has always loved celebrating the style and personality of the most interesting and influential female figures in contemporary history, thus stays true to its attitude also in this eyewear collection. It does so with an eyewear release that, with its interplay of lines and dimensions, nuances and precious details, evokes the signature style of these two key figures in the aesthetic and culture of the Twentieth Century. Eileen Gray’s rigorous and detail-oriented style and Lee Miller’s glamorous and unconventional one.

But how do Eileen Gray’s architecture and Lee Miller’s attitude translate into the new Max Mara eyewear collection? With innovative, edgy yet elegant designs, as well as frames that amaze with their oversize looks, sinuous lines, tubular profiles and bold volumes. A variety of different aesthetic solutions, including some options embellished with Maxim, the sparkling jewel-like geometric detail that identifies the collection and that co-stars in this all-women collection.

Work-from-home and tools for flexible working time management, introduction of a session dedicated to women’s leadership within the Leadership Academy, a pathway for future managers, support for the psychological aspect for all the employees with focus groups dedicated to new mothers, conclusion of agreements with daycare centers. These are only some of the concrete initiatives, the ones that women really need, allowing Marcolin to earn the gender equality certification. An important acknowledgment, issued by the certification bodies accredited with Accredia, achieved after a challenging journey lasting a few years in favour of new inclusive and corporate welfare policies. And conducted based on specific indicators related to six assessment areas that characterize an inclusive and gender-responsive organization: culture and strategy, governance, Human Resources processes, opportunities for the growth and inclusion of women in the company, equal pay for both genders, parenting support and work-life balance.

„Our journey starts from afar, where diversity, equity and inclusion are considered strategic levers for business development and the promotion of an equitable and gender-friendly culture“ said Sabrina Paulon, Marcolin Group HR Director. Because today women need not only solutions that allow them to better reconcile life and work, children and professional commitments, but also real opportunities for space, visibility and career. The same as their male colleagues. A topic that has been particularly close to the heart of this Company for many years given that, according to October 2023 data, that 62% of Marcolin’s people are women, of whom 40% occupy managerial positions and 50% have executive roles.

This acknowledgment (valid for three years and subject to annual monitoring) should not be considered a point of arrival, nor should it slow down the path undertaken so far. For this reason, the certifying body, during its assessment, also considered Marcolin Group’s establishment of a wide and strategic plan covering the period from now to 2025. A structured plan, including training sessions on the topic, new supports for parenting and work-life balance together with initiatives to promote fairness in selection processes and career development. And which is just waiting to be carried forward with commitment to achieve an ambitious and important objective, especially in our country: achieving a full gender equality.