Updated: 3/17/23: Models Ashley Radjarme, Chol Mabior, Colin Jones, Kai Newman, Kim Dongha, Matteo Ferri, Mila van Eeten, Mona Tougaard, Silas Lutz, Vittoria Ceretti and Yoonmi Sun front the February 2023 drop of Ferragamo’s Spring Summer 2023 campaign.

Photographer Rafael Pavarotti [IG] shoots the models in Ferragamo’s updated-hues studio with art direction by Edward Quarmby and styling by Mavi Staiano./ Makeup by Thom Walker; hair by Virginia Pinto Moreira

The New York Times profiled Maximilian Davis, Salvatore Ferragamo’s new young Black designer, last fall. The emerging designer dropped out of the 2022 LVMH Prize for young designer competition to take the Ferragamo position.

Davis is a product of Fashion East, a nonprofit initiative that nurtures young designers through the difficult early stages of their careers. The Fashion East incubator has helped designers that include Jonathan Anderson, Henry Holland, Gareth Pugh, Jonathan Saunders, Kim Jones, and Simone Rocha.

Manchester, England born Davis was clear about his intentions in a 2021 collection debut interview with British Vogue.

“When you think about who wears streetwear, you think of Black people,” he said. “When you think of tailoring, you think of white people. It doesn’t make any sense. My dad wore a suit to work every day. It needs to change.”

Maximilian Davis is firmly situated in den of influential creatives that includes Rafael Pavarotti — photographer of this campaign — and stylist/editor Ibrahim Kamara. Before leaving his own label to accept the Ferragamo position, Davis’ ‘Black Elegance’ clothes were worn by Rihanna and Kim Kardashian.

By early 2022, the Maximilian label was stocked by Net-a-Porter and Matches Fashion.

“That clarity, confidence and level of execution sent people sideways,” said Lulu Kennedy, the Fashion East founder, who added that she was “super-proud” to have supported him at the start of “what was going to be a major career.”

WSJ Magazine wrote a feature on Maximilian Davis a week ago, highlighting his update of your grandmother’s rich burgandy attachment to the Ferragamo brand. Chrimson gives the brand far more energy, Davis explained. Follow the WSJ link, as we’ve provided a free link that will not expire.