MILAN, Sep 30, 2005 / FW/ ---- It’s a season of rebirth and regeneration here in Milan as established houses like Max Mara which had been dressing professional women since the 1950s move forward as it reinvents itself with sexy silhouettes that surprised even the most jaded fashionistas.

With top editors sitting front row, including U.S. Vogue’s Anna Wintour, Max Mara’s Spring / Summer 2006 collection was a jaw-dropping shocker as models walked with revealing cut-outs, ruffled blouses, floral appliqué and uber sexy bikinis.

Alright… where are the sensible clothes that have been the staple of Max Mara for the past 50 years? Probably in the showroom, because they are nowhere on the runway.

Loose-fitting skorts paired with ruffled blouses with deep necklines that show the rise of the model’s breasts, bandeaus as tops for jumpers, jumpsuits sheered at the neck and sleeveless hoodies – these are what were shown on the catwalk.

Oh yes, there were the traditional trench coats and suit jackets, but they have morphed from conservative to fashion forward with their wide lapels and wide collars.

Pants are wide and loose fitting, so are the walking shorts. It’s all about comfort for the Max Mara woman this spring.

The collection is a pleasant surprise with its buoyancy and hopefulness. Yet, it goes beyond that. It also marks a change at Max Mara, a fundamental shift in its design philosophy as it caters to the professional women of today.

Max Mara

Max Mara

Max Mara

Max Mara