Maximilian Davis Channels Ballet Elegance at Ferragamo’s Spring 2025 Show
Maximilian Davis brought a fresh sense of movement and grace to Ferragamo’s Spring 2025 collection at Milan Fashion Week, riffing on the house’s deep-rooted connection with the world of ballet. Drawing from the archives, Davis was inspired by a touching photo of founder Salvatore Ferragamo fitting African American dancer and choreographer Katherine Dunham with his first ballerina shoes in the 1930s.
The collection felt like an ode to the art of dance, blending practice uniforms — tights, bodysuits, and wrap tops — with Ferragamo’s signature elegance. Tucked into each off-duty look was the brand’s Hug bag, adding a touch of modernity to classic ballet-inspired silhouettes.
Menswear was also a standout, with nods to the Russian ballet star Rudolf Nureyev, who danced in Ferragamo shoes in the 1980s. Parachute fabrics, washed silks, and oversized trench coats with hip belts carried the influence of that era, while Davis injected drama into the collection with billowing opera coats, cocoon-shaped evening dresses, and voluminous leather blousons.
“When the models are moving, you really capture that essence of freedom,” Davis shared backstage, emphasizing the fluidity and grace of the designs, presented in a circular, curtained space that heightened the feeling of being on stage.
Not every look soared — some military-inspired jackets and crinkly fabrics fell a bit flat — but Davis’ playful use of frayed denim suiting and jelly-like moccasins brought a refreshing twist to the theme, reflecting his Caribbean roots.
Interestingly, Davis’ exploration of dance doesn’t seem to end here. “It’s something that I would definitely like to do in the future,” he said with a smile, hinting at a potential future in designing ballet costumes.
#FerragamoSS25 show by @_maximiliandavis_
