Ian Griffiths looked to the windswept landscapes of Yorkshire and the haunting prose of the Brontë sisters for Max Mara’s Fall Winter 2025-2026 collection, crafting a lineup that balanced brooding intensity with romantic refinement. The result was a wardrobe designed for modern heroines—anchored in the past but made for today.

Griffiths, who immersed himself in Brontë literature while listening to Mendelssohn on repeat, translated that inspiration into silhouettes that exuded both strength and softness. Full skirts, a defining element of the collection, set the tone for a sense of grandeur, complemented by wide-legged trousers, Spencer-style short jackets, and structured three-piece suits that played with proportion and historical reference.

The show unfolded in distinct color stories, beginning with deep maroons and rich corduroys before transitioning into mossy greens and the house’s signature “cascia,” a cool beige that mirrors the natural hue of raw cashmere. Yorkshire’s overcast skies served as a visual cue for these tones, reinforcing the collection’s connection to rugged yet romantic landscapes.

Outerwear took center stage once again, with Griffiths exploring a variety of coat shapes—from enveloping bathrobe styles to structured military greatcoats and sweeping hooded capes. Many extended nearly to the ground, their exaggerated draped or slit sleeves adding a cinematic flair. The interplay of textures was equally compelling, as tweeds, herringbones, and shearling offered robustness, while softer, brushed surfaces lent a comforting tactility.

Closing the show, a series of black velvet looks—high-waisted, full-legged trousers and an off-the-shoulder maxi gown—evoked a gothic elegance, as if pulled from the pages of Wuthering Heights. With the upcoming adaptation of Wuthering Heights starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi set to reignite interest in Brontë’s work, Griffiths’ vision felt particularly timely.

Max Mara’s latest collection didn’t just embrace nostalgia; it reshaped it for the present, proving that romance, when executed with precision, is never out of fashion.