Grazia Malagoli

Grazia Malagoli is an esteemed Italian designer who has served as the long-standing Creative Director of Sportmax, a key brand within the Max Mara Fashion Group. Based in Reggio Emilia, she has spent several decades at the heart of the company, playing a vital role in maintaining the label's reputation for innovation and contemporary relevance. Her tenure is marked by a consistent ability to evolve the brand's identity while staying true to its heritage of high-quality manufacturing.

Malagoli is widely respected for her deep understanding of Italian industrial design and her ability to translate complex artistic concepts into sophisticated ready-to-wear. Under her leadership, Sportmax has become a symbol of forward-thinking Italian fashion. Her influence is seen in the brand's ability to navigate changing trends without losing its core focus on precision and the art of tailoring.

'Sport-chic' and experimental tailoring serve as the foundational principles of Grazia Malagoli’s design thinking. Her work is characterized by a relentless focus on clean lines and the use of high-tech fabrics, which are applied to classic wardrobe archetypes, most notably the coat. This approach frequently references 1970s futurism and contemporary art, resulting in a silhouette that is both avant-garde and refined. The evolution of the coat remains a primary formal concern, treated as an architectural object that balances structural innovation with wearer comfort.

Materiality is central to the ethos, with a focus on how industrial production can be elevated through artisanal finishes and technical research. The treatment of the body is sophisticated, utilizing proportion and layering to create a sense of effortless elegance. Recurring signals in her work include sharp, geometric cuts and a restrained use of colour. By balancing the house's heritage with a curiosity for future technologies, Malagoli ensures that Sportmax remains at the forefront of contemporary design.