Max Mara’s Olimpia Jacket Is The Hero Piece Of The Modern Woman’s Wardrobe

Here’s why the camel jacket, a standout of the Italian fashion brand’s Fall/Winter 2024 collection, is an instant classic

Max Mara Olimpia Jacket (Photo: Max Mara) — Max Mara introduces the Olimpia Jacket for Fall/Winter 2024 (Photo: Max Mara)

In one of her most famous photographs, Colette is seen dressed in a suit, looking unflinchingly at the camera. The black-and-white photograph perfectly captures the 20th-century French writer’s strong sense of individuality; during the Belle Époque, it was uncommon, even forbidden, for women to dress in masculine clothes.

Colette’s androgynous dressing has made her an enduring style icon, inspiring countless fashion designers. In fact, that particular image of her was on the mood board for Max Mara’s Fall/Winter 2024 collection. As creative director Ian Griffiths told GRAZIA, “I was drawn to her because I’ve always loved Colette and it was 150 years since she was born… I guess there is something about the style of Colette and her world that struck me as something that we could interpret, to produce something modern.”

The Olimpia Jacket is named and designed for powerful women (Photo: Max Mara)

Indeed, there are connections to be made between Colette and the Max Mara woman. In Max Mara’s show notes, the author of novels like Chéri and Gigi is described as sophisticated, intelligent and liberated. The Fall/Winter 2024 collection is essentially a wardrobe for such a woman, filled with smart and sensual pieces like black turtlenecks, knit dresses, midi skirts, statement coats and, of course, tailoring.

Among the latter, the standout is the Olimpia Jacket—and not merely because it comes in Max Mara’s signature colour. The double-breasted jacket, crafted from pure camel hair, exemplifies the Italian fashion brand’s masterful craftsmanship. It features clean, straight lines, strong shoulders and a slightly oversized silhouette that will not overwhelm the woman who wears it. Quite the opposite: the Olimpia Jacket, named after a female hero in Greek mythology, is designed for women with the ability to tap into their own power, and who are ready to make their mark on the world. In other words, it’s a remarkable jacket for remarkable women.

The Olimpia Jacket is a versatile piece that can be worn in many ways—as seen in Max Mara’s Brand Values campaign (Photo: Max Mara)

It’s also a truly versatile piece, and its lightweight design makes it easy to layer. On the runway, the Olimpia Jacket was styled with a turtleneck and tights, offering a modern-day twist to the classic suit. In Max Mara’s Brand Values campaign, model Bibi Breslin wears the jacket over a crisp white shirt, or pairs it with slouchy, wide-leg trousers—the kind Colette would have approved of.

With the many ways that it can be worn, the Olimpia Jacket embodies the very quality that Colette championed: individuality. Indeed, one should keep in mind the French author’s words when donning the timeless piece: “Beautiful? For whom? Why, for myself, of course.”