Max Mara Max Mara Max Mara is an Italian fashion business. It markets up-market ready-to-wear clothing. It was established in 1951 in Reggio Emilia by Achille Maramotti (7 January 1927 – 12 January 2005). In March 2008, the company had 2,254 stores in 90 countries. It sponsors the Max Mara Art Prize for Women. Achille Maramotti began designing couture clothing in 1947, and officially established the House of Max Mara in 1951. The "Mara" came from his surname, while "Max" referred to Count Max, a local character who was seldom sober but always stylish. Maramotti was one of the first to see
Maria Antonelli (fashion designer) Maria Antonelli (fashion designer) Maria Antonelli (1903-1969) was a pioneer of Italian fashion design who took part in the first Italian fashion shows. Maria Antonelli was born in 1903. She was apprenticed at Battilocchi tailoring in Rome. Antonelli founded her eponymous fashion house in 1930. In July 1951 she took part in the show organised by Giovanni Battista Giorgini in Florence that attempted to establish Italian fashion as a rival to France. Her designs have been described as having "minimalist silhouettes which pre-empted the 60s trend". She dressed the actresses Clara Calamai, Anna Magnani, and Alida Valli. In 1969, she