Every Woman is Extraordinary

The Campaign

It doesn’t matter who she is, how she lives, or what she has achieved: every woman, finally free from the pressure to be perfect, can find her voice and embrace her true identity. This is the philosophy of Max Mara, a brand that for over 70 years has been creating clothing that enhances the strength and character of women — a message powerfully conveyed by the campaign “Forget Perfection, You Are Remarkable”, shot by today’s most creative fashion photographer and director, Oliver Hadlee Pearch, in the streets of London. The campaign stars model Bibi Breslin, a vibrant and elegant embodiment of a woman who, liberated from the deceptive ideal of perfection, walks calmly yet determinedly toward her goals, overcoming life’s inevitable challenges with her inner strengths. Perhaps that’s why the jacket she wears is called Olimpia, like the queen of the gods.

The Exhibition

Max Mara’s commitment to creative female power is also told through the exhibition “Time for Women! Empowering Visions in 20 Years of the Max Mara Art Prize for Women”, running from April 17 to August 31 in the stunning setting of Palazzo Strozzi. Promoted by the Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi and the Collezione Maramotti, the exhibition celebrates 20 years of the Max Mara Art Prize for Women, the prestigious art award established in collaboration with London’s Whitechapel Gallery. The exhibition is a unique opportunity to see together the projects created by the nine prize-winning artists during their Italian residency — a central part of the award: Margaret Salmon, Hannah Rickards, Andrea Büttner, Laure Prouvost, Corin Sworn, Emma Hart, Helen Cammock, Emma Talbot, and Dominique White. Emerging artists at the time of their nomination, they have since made their mark on the international art scene. Their works — including paintings, sculptures, videos, and installations — reflect on vital themes such as identity, memory, the body, society, and politics.

The Film Award

And finally, we can’t forget the “Women In Film Max Mara Face of the Future Award®”, launched at the 2006 edition of Women in Film’s Crystal + Lucy Awards. Women In Film is a non-profit organization that has been promoting equal opportunities and supporting the projects of actresses and directors since 1973. Here too, the focus is entirely on the work and talent of extraordinary women — young actresses not yet household names, but at a pivotal point in their careers and also recognized for their social commitment. Since 2006, Max Mara has honored the human and professional talent of actresses such as Yara Shahidi, Lili Reinhart, Zazie Beetz, Gemma Chan, Elizabeth Debicki, Alexandra Shipp, Zoey Deutch, Natalie Dormer, Kate Mara, Rose Byrne, Hailee Steinfeld, Chloë Grace Moretz, Katie Holmes, Zoë Saldana, Elizabeth Banks, Ginnifer Goodwin, Emily Blunt, and Maria Bello. The latest winner? Joey King, the young American actress starring in A Family Affair and Uglies.

Elena Salmistraro

1

Wood, ceramic, fabrics: you have experimented with almost any kind of material in your work. Which ones are you most comfortable with and which ones would you like to challenge yourself with?

«In my professional career, I have been lucky enough to explore a wide range of materials, each having its own peculiarities and expressive potential. Ceramic, for example, has always fascinated me greatly, because of its extraordinary versatility but also because of its ability to turn into shapes that tell ancient stories while being extremely modern and contemporary: I’ve become very familiar with this material. Wood, with its natural warmth and inherent history, is a material I love because it has the power to converse with time, adding a dimension of continuity to my creations. And then fabrics, with their textures and colors, convey an intimate and sensorial feeling that I find very interesting to explore. At the same time, however, I am always looking for new challenges and experimentations: I am thrilled to discover different materials, wishing to test myself and explore creative languages».

2

You have recently designed a collection of ceramic objects that pays homage to the greatest designers of all time, who are clearly recognizable by their eyewear frames. In your opinion, then, are glasses a distinguishing feature rather than just an accessory?

«For the « Most Illustrious » collection, I decided to celebrate the greatest designers through shapes and details that reflect their work, and are thus immediately recognizable. Eyewear frames were a key element for me in this project, as they not only hide the eyes – a very complex and expressive part of the face – but are also a symbol of distinction. In fact, glasses are more than just a functional accessory; they are a distinguishing trait, a personal signature element that defines the wearer’s style. In this project, specifically, they represent a statement of identity, transforming an everyday object into an element that speaks of who we are, a true trademark that turns the ordinary into something extraordinary».

3

Since you have always designed by immersing yourself in color, it is inevitable to ask you: how would you envision an eyewear collection?

«Actually, I’ve already had the opportunity to design glasses, although unfortunately the pandemic interrupted the project. When I think of a pair of glasses, I don’t imagine them as an object that only serves to protect the eyes, but as something that also becomes a tool for self-expression. I am very attracted to bold shapes, those that capture attention without being too invasive. Color also plays a key role, because I’d like it to convey feelings, while being so well-balanced that it is never excessive or intrusive. And finally, a frame should never lack unexpected details. Little touches that break the mold and defy labels to give each piece a unique and authentic personality».

Camilla Ferrari

1

Is it possible to effectively communicate products without ever showing them, just by interpreting the brand’s values, as it was required in WEB EYEWEAR’s Framing Light project?

«It is certainly the most interesting way to do it and, in this case, it allowed me to stay true to my narrative style, which has always been particularly attentive to the emotional connections between an object and a person, so as to capture the nuances of emotion. My work can be described as somewhere between contemplative and narrative, a research conducted at the intersection of observation and instinct».

2

What inspired you in interpreting concepts such as transparency, gusto and quiet luxury?

«I titled this work “postcards from a dream” because I tried to approach these concepts by both working on the literal meaning and tone of the words. I started from the value of gusto, interpreted as a summer journey across the Mediterranean, trying to convey its poetic implications and small gestures that would have been lost if they hadn’t been captured on film. For transparency, I played on the idea of « seeing through », meaning through water, glass, or reflections. Finally, for the value of Quiet Luxury, I was inspired by the Latin term « luxus », which also refers to the luxurious appearance of nature and to natural prosperity, and I created images that look like the impressions of a night dream».

3

What was the most challenging shot?

«Each photograph is the result of a project that involves many aspects, from my initial thoughts to researching locations, subjects and lighting, so it is always a bit of a challenge, especially when you are working outdoors and are subjected to weather and climate variations. For all these reasons, working on the concept of transparency using water has been both challenging and stimulating».

Alessandro Vai

1

At IEO you are working on research about the role of some particular proteins: how will your study help fight cancer?

«The proteins I am dealing with are called “histones”, which are very important in controlling various cellular processes. It has been seen that these particular proteins also play a considerable role in cancer initiation because the genes they regulate are aberrant, so by studying histones it is possible to achieve a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer».

2

When and why did you realize you wanted to pursue a research career in this particular field?

«I realized I wanted to be a researcher in high school, where I had the opportunity to spend a short time in a research laboratory: there I fell in love with the passion that researchers put into their work, so I decided to pursue this path. I still enjoy research, because it allows me to take on new challenges in an attempt to solve questions that are currently unanswered».

3

Thanks to AIRC, 5000 researchers are working to fight cancer this year: what are the new challenges ahead?

«In my opinion, the greatest challenge in research today concerns personalized medicine because it has been seen that patients respond differently to therapies. And today we have access to a lot of information, such as that from DNA sequencing, that can help define tailored treatments for patients, thus improving the effectiveness of therapy».

Summer is a State Of Mind: ic! berlin SS25

Boundless Style: The Energy of Bangkok Meets Berlin

The Spring/Summer 2025 campaign was shot in the vibrant Thai metropolis of Bangkok. The city reflects many of the characteristics of Berlin: contrasting elements coming together, a pulsating energy, and an eclectic mix from which new ideas emerge. Individuality and unconventional thinking are core values both in Bangkok and in ic! berlin’s Berlin workshop, where these principles have been passionately upheld since the brand’s founding. The Spring/Summer 2025 collection celebrates the moment and the courage to be different, encouraging personal style expression and authenticity within an open and inclusive community: the spirit of ic! berlin’s global family.

Lightness and Innovation: The Timeless Design of ic! berlin

This season is an invitation to let go and live with lightness. The Berlin design team has reinterpreted retro shapes, transforming them into ultra-light and minimalist models: cat-eye, oval, pentagonal, and even heptagonal frames. These designs, characterized by innovative technical details, refined lines, and extreme lightness, perfectly adapt to any personal style.

ic! berlin uses only carefully selected materials, such as cold-rolled stainless steel from Germany and cotton-based acetate from Italy. The result is timeless, high-quality designs ready for any lifestyle.

Exclusive Colors: Elegance and Character in Every Shade

The sunglasses and prescription frames of this season stand out with carefully composed PVD colors and deep, rich acetate shades. Each model in the collection features subtle color accents that enhance its elegance and uniqueness. ic! berlin’s in-house design team and specialists have developed an exclusive palette of new shades, including Shiny Aubergine, a custom-made PVD color, and Habanero, a deep red lacquer. Additionally, the collection introduces a new gradient for lenses: Pineapple Gradient Polarized. For those seeking a touch of summer freshness, the range also includes acetate frames in the new Deep Ocean color, a stunning, deep blue.

Alessandro Zoppa

1

You’ve been working in the Eyewear and luxury industry for years: what are the current challenges for designers of this particular accessory?

«The first one is certainly the fact that consumers are becoming more conscious and attentive, which entails, on our part, greater attention to detail and artisanal quality. But not only. Today we need to focus on a circular, rather than linear, dimension in terms of thinking and working. It means that we need to design in a conscious way, paying attention to every aspect of the production cycle: from materials sustainability to environmental impact, from product quality to its duration».

2

The new WEB EYEWEAR collection, one of the projects that you managed personally, has made its debut in the past few weeks: what’s the new line about?

«The collection is the result of a long, three-year research process that started with the brand’s rich history and continued until we reached the essence of its core values. First of all, the concept of “being” rather than “seeming”, then, in addition, the transparency theme, that we interpreted in the three-dimensional temple design. It is not by chance that WEB EYEWEAR is the preferred choice for those who, in life, are more interested in substance than appearance and who know that these are elegant products destined to stand the test of time, the fruit of a painstaking design thinking process. It’s the same thing with apparel: you buy a certain garment because you identify with a certain vision that makes you feel like you belong and that allows you to best express your personality».

3

As a creative, what do you think of the campaign that led to the Framing Light event and the involvement of five photographers to interpret the three values of WEB EYEWEAR?

«It was a beautiful challenge, a truly unprecedented event in the Eyewear industry, and the great audience turnout proved us right: today we need experiences that create a dialogue between a product, its philosophy, and art, going beyond the product itself. In this case, it was photography, but I hope that in the future we can create new connections with philosophers, musicians o even chefs: people who can give the audience a moment of beauty, reflection, and poetry. The values that were conveyed by Framing Light reflect the style of the WEB EYEWEAR collection, which is built on the pillars of elegance and simplicity. It was a “cult” exhibition, meaning a cultural event destined to set new trends, like the debut of a sort of “Fuorisalone” in the world of Eyewear».

Stefano Guindani

1

Is it possible to effectively communicate products without ever showing them, just by interpreting the brand’s values, as it was required in WEB EYEWEAR’s Framing Light project?

«The real challenge but also the opportunity posed by this project was to try to interpret these three concepts – transparency, style and quiet luxury – without ever showing the eyewear itself. And to do so without being didactic. But in general that’s how I work, I always try to photograph fashion products without losing sight of their poetic value, to create something artistic that makes people dream: when this happens, it’s the perfect shot, conveying elegance that is never loud or flashy».

 

2

What inspired you in interpreting concepts such as transparency, style and quiet luxury?

«For style or “taste”, a term that can be associated with food but also with the aesthetic sense, I wished to evoke the quintessential Italian taste for beauty and art, manual skills and the ability to create something, like the dirty hands of a sculptor at work. The Marsala salt pans, instead, where water is tinged with pink due to a certain algae, and at sunset turns almost fluorescent in color, were the perfect location to talk about transparency in nature, like in the shot that captures herons flying over the water. For luxury, I decided to photograph a girl sitting outdoors, engrossed in a book, to stress the fact that true luxury today is having time for yourself, to read a book or meditate».

3

What was the most challenging shot?

«The most challenging photos were the ones shot in the salt pans because I wasn’t sure if I would have found the right light, the perfect atmosphere to evoke the concept of transparency, because it mostly depended on the weather. We had to wait a few days, but in the end we got the perfect light».

Marcolin Germany Celebrates Its 40th Anniversary

A Journey That Began In 1985

First in Lörrach, then in Ludwigsburg – charming towns in Baden-Württemberg – and finally in Cologne: these are the key locations that have marked Marcolin’s progression in Germany. It all started in 1985, exactly 40 years ago, with a small office and a handful of young employees. In 2017, the company arrived in the heart of the economic, historical and cultural capital of the Rhineland as Marcolin Deutschland GmbH, establishing itself as a thriving organization with strong local ties. Today, it boasts more than 50 employees, many of whom have been with the company for over 25 years, led by North EMEA manager Stephan Hinkerode.

The Link with German Brands

The 40th anniversary is a milestone and an opportunity not only to look back on memories, but also to highlight the key role the German office has played in Marcolin’s expansion across the EMEA region. This success has gone hand in hand with strengthening ties to three iconic German sportswear and luxury brands in the Longarone Group’s portfolio: adidas (with its Sport and Originals lines), MCM, and more recently, the house brand ic! berlin.

The Employees’ Perspective

The testimonies of Marcolin Deutschland employees confirm the success of a project that began in the 1980s and has stayed true to its vision of being an innovative, international and ever-evolving company, supporting the continuous growth of its employees. This is echoed by Lydia Müller and Manuela Becker, both sales managers at Marcolin since 1999, and by Frank Riethmüller, who joined eighteen years ago to manage budgets and collections and is now a sales analyst and planner. “At Marcolin, we’ve learned a lot and had the freedom to expand our skills. It’s a pleasure to be part of this team and this great Group.”

Marcolin Germany Celebrates Its 40th Anniversary

A Journey that Began In 1985

First in Lörrach, then in Ludwigsburg – charming towns in Baden-Württemberg – and finally in Cologne: these are the key locations that have marked Marcolin’s progression in Germany. It all started in 1985, exactly 40 years ago, with a small office and a handful of young employees. In 2017, the company arrived in the heart of the economic, historical and cultural capital of the Rhineland as Marcolin Deutschland GmbH, establishing itself as a thriving organization with strong local ties. Today, it boasts more than 50 employees, many of whom have been with the company for over 25 years, led by North EMEA manager Stephan Hinkerode.

The Link with German Brands

The 40th anniversary is a milestone and an opportunity not only to look back on memories, but also to highlight the key role the German office has played in Marcolin’s expansion across the EMEA region. This success has gone hand in hand with strengthening ties to three iconic German sportswear and luxury brands in the Longarone Group’s portfolio: adidas (with its Sport and Originals lines), MCM, and more recently, the house brand ic! berlin.

The Employees’ Perspective

The testimonies of Marcolin Deutschland employees confirm the success of a project that began in the 1980s and has stayed true to its vision of being an innovative, international and ever-evolving company, supporting the continuous growth of its employees. This is echoed by Lydia Müller and Manuela Becker, both sales managers at Marcolin since 1999, and by Frank Riethmüller, who joined eight years ago to manage budgets and collections and is now a sales analyst and planner. “At Marcolin, we’ve learned a lot and had the freedom to expand our skills. It’s a pleasure to be part of this team and this great Group.”

Marcolin Talk Back In Milan

From Introspection To Products

«I’m delighted to participate in this event because this project is full of creativity and food for thought» said Andrea Batilla as soon as he stepped on stage to meet the five photographers in the exhibition (Stefano Guindani, Camilla Ferrari, Giulia Mantovani, Niccolò Parsenziani and Gaia Bonanomi), advertising writer, creative director and founder of the Civic Brands Observatory Paolo Iabichino and Marcolin Group Style & Product Development Director Lara Marogna. The latter explained how Framing Light is the result of a dematerialization process of the WEB EYEWEAR brand, whose history dates back to the 1930s. «Initially, we focused on the customer, reflecting on its personality, interests and habits. Then, following this introspective inquiry, we came up with the three values that were interpreted by the five Italian photographers in the exhibition: style, transparency and quiet luxury».

The Value of Transparency

The talk focused on the value of transparency in particular. Because it has a double meaning, in the sense of the transparency of materials but also as a virtue. «To transpose its value into something practical like eyewear, we designed a collection that plays with a subtle, concealed transparency effect, that can be perceived just at the right moment, like a photographer who has to wait for the right light conditions before shooting» commented Lara Marogna. Paolo Iabichino resumed the discussion talking about the importance of photography today. «I’ve always considered photography, even advertising photography, as an artistic thing. And I believe that today it can still be of importance if it is freed from the “clutches” of advertising, if its semantic codes are respected, as was the case in this exhibition».

Choosing Glasses

«It has to be said that fashion has already paved the way on these topics, thanks to its commitment to creating content and cultural projects that try to bridge the attention deficit caused by the Internet» concluded Paolo Iabichino. And if, fortunately, influencer marketing doesn’t work anymore, how can a brand capture customer attention?  «By being a brand that enters people’s lives and resonates with them, being a brand that people choose rather than purchase. This is the only way for people to really choose a pair of glasses: because wearing them means expressing yourself to the world».