Max Mara’s 10180 Topcoat

Few styles have remained perfectly unchanged since the early eighties—in fact, most of the era’s key looks can’t be banished thoroughly enough. Max Mara’s 101801 topcoat is an exception; designed in 1981 by France’s Anne-Marie Beretta, not an element of the coat, from its cut and proportions to its material, has ever been tampered with. The 101801 is a work of art—and, indeed, the subject of the work of many contemporary artists in its time, from William Wegman (who draped the coat over his signature Weimaraners for Max Mara’s 50th anniversary) to illustrator François Berthoud. Now, in honour of the relaunch of the iconic garment, Max Mara is adding new colourways—once only available in camel, oatmeal, and black cashmere-wool are now options. To celebrate the appearance of this muted rainbow of outerwear, an exhibit of photographer Roxanne Lowit’s archival photos of influencers (from Alba Clemente, to Cyndi Lauper, Fran Drescher, and Paris Hilton) donning the 101801 will tour major markets throughout the U.S. (including one stop at their Toronto flagship September 26 to 29) from September to December 2016. Elegant and fresh, the exhibit celebrates the 101801 as the wardrobe grande dame it is.