There are many leading industry pioneers we should keep our eyes on, including notable high-end fashion designer Maximilian Davis. From the innovative craftsmanship of his designs at his eponymous brand to seamlessly making his way to creative director at Salvatore Ferragamo, the London College of Fashion alumnus is pushing the test of time with limitless designs and is transcending the bar when it comes to diversifying a rather exclusive industry.
After the Italian brand recently disclosed the news, Davis’ appointment probes the question of what we can expect to see from the arbiter of style. Now that the 26-year-old is a part of one of the most noteworthy fashion houses in the world, it’s safe to say that his influence as a leading Black creative transcends beyond the necklines and hemlines of his garments. Davis’ role as Ferragamo’s creative director comes alongside a pristine resume, whether it was formerly dressing Rihanna or his silhouettes seamlessly making their way on celebrities like Kim Kardashian, here’s what we know about the Manchester native and how he’s showing just how significant representation is within the fashion industry.
1. He worked as a junior designer for Grace Wales Bonner before starting his eponymous brand in 2020.
The London-based pioneer opened up his eponymous brand, Maximilian, in 2020 after working under Grace Wales Bonner, a noteworthy British fashion designer. The dynamic duo met at the Selfridges department store before Davis joined Bonner’s growing team as a junior designer. Soon after, Maximilian hit the top of the fashion industry’s radar when his namesake label made its acclaimed debut at Lulu Kennedy’s Spring 2021 Fashion East showcase. After garnering positive attention for his mix of Black culture and South African heritage, Davis’s clothing made the racks of retail conglomerates worldwide, including Ssense, MatchesFashion and Net- a- Porter, to name a few.
2. He became one of the finalists for this year’s LVMH prize but dropped out as a result of his new role with Salvatore Ferragamo.
Maximilian’s name to fame comes alongside making the list of top 20 finalists for the LVMH Prize at the beginning of the month. The notable awards ceremony for young graduates was set to offer 10,000 euros as well as having the opportunity to join a design studio at one of the group’s fashion houses for a year. After Davis pulled out of the LVMH prize, many questioned and wondered why the recent grad decided to step away, though little did they know that his short-lived departure was a result of something so much bigger. According to Vogue, Davis’ departure from the LVMH prize was a result of his new role with Salvatore Ferragamo, which he kept under wraps until recently.
3. His grandmother taught him how to use a sewing machine at the age of six.
Maximilian’s brilliant designs weren’t just an accumulation of his studies at the London College of Fashion. When Davis was six, his grandmother taught him how to use a sewing machine, as well as the importance of self-expression, self-identity and representing his Trinidadian roots within the art of fashion design. Davis’ designs were also an accumulation of the artistic nature of the rest of his family, who shared similar interests in the fashion world. According to the New York Times, Davis’ mother served as a model in the ’70s, whereas his father and sister studied clothing design shortly before pursuing separate careers. Maximilian’s artistry of representing his family lineage was most notably expressed within his first collection that debuted in September 2020, paying tribute to his late grandmother who passed away in 2017.
4. Shortly after his grandmother’s death, the Manchester native decided to take a break from fashion design.
Shortly after the death of Davis’ grandmother and his graduation in 2018, the 26-year-old decided to take a step back from fashion design, which later impacted his inspiration as a creative. He recently recalled to the New York Times that, “I needed time to figure out what I wanted to do,” however, this didn’t fully stop the British design star from achieving his dreams. In 2019, he decided to get back to his sketching and started working with a friend and stylist, Ibrahim Kamara. After working with Kamara on a small collection of six looks, the pandemic hit, and therefore, ended the duo’s ability to photograph the looks. As a result, Davis decided to move forward with an application to the notable talent incubator, Fashion East, and to his surprise, he was accepted.
5. His inspiration comes from mixing the work of an Italian painter and an 18th-century abolitionist.
Though he pays homage to his Trinidadian roots in most of his designs, the Manchester native garners his inspiration from a mix of an Italian painter and the 18th-century abolitionist Jean-Baptiste Belley. After applying and being accepted into Fashion East, the platform significantly helped Ibrahim and Maximilian grow their collection from six to 18 looks. The collection paid tribute to Belley and Italian painter Agostino Brunia, who intertwined Creole culture with the emergence of West Indian lifestyles. Davis used his research of the two artists to recreate seductive yet refined styles that highlighted bodily form and movement.
Even though Davis’ role is helping to serve as a key factor toward diversity and inclusion conversations, he is undoubtedly changing the scope of how aspiring Black creatives are daring to dream. As we begin to embark on a coalition of other noteworthy Black creatives sitting in creative director roles at fashion brands, such as Tremaine Emory of Supreme and Oliver Rousteing of Balmain, Davis is one of the many visionaries that are grabbing the fashion industry by its helm.
