Fashion + charity = women empowerment
Like it or not, mathematics governs the universe, and society operates under certain equations and fundamental truths: 1 + 1 = 2; if x = y and y = z, then x = z; the shortest distance between two points in a plane is a straight line.
Even fashion, often correlated to frivolity for its relation to variable and irrational concepts of beauty, style, and trends rather than basic functionality, is stitched into concepts of math and science. You cannot sew a dress without having even a surface understanding of dimensions, for example. Creating a simple shift dress requires, at the very least, measurement and alignment.
As it highlights pioneering mathematician and astronomer Hypatia for its 2025 Spring/Summer collection, Max Mara connects deeper with the magic of science and mathematics: sleek lines, sharp angles, trigonometric tailoring, geometric patterns, and hints of conic sections.
But beyond creating clothes that women will “desire, wear, and ultimately live in,” the timeless luxury brand that has managed to draw success from an alchemical combination of quality and accessibility has collaborated with international nongovernmental organization U-Go for Women’s Month to provide scholarships to young women in challenging circumstances, and affording them broader educational and other opportunities.
Until April 30, Max Mara clients can become part of the equation for uplifting society as a percentage of the sales will go to empowering women to finish tertiary education so they can get back—and give back—to the community, and make a difference.
Major principles
U-Go director Mariana Zobel de Ayala explained U-Go founder John Wood’s own math through his two major principles:
The first is “while talent is universal, opportunity is not.” There is no causation linking talent and opportunities, and abundance or lack in the former does not equate to similar in the latter.
“He felt that in his travels, in setting up libraries in places like Nepal,” said Zobel de Ayala. “There was so much talent, but they didn’t have the same kind of opportunity as many others.”
The second tenet refers to the idea that “if you empower a woman, it has a multiplier effect on her family, on the community, and, eventually, on the economy.”
The oft-repeated phrase “Empowered women empower the world” rings true. Giving women power enables them to act on their passion and compassion for finding solutions to problems that enrich and uplift others. In fact, elevating this sector of society through education and other means has proven to exponentially improve the plight of even those not directly in their success trajectory.
Partnering locally with Ayala Foundation, U-Go screens applicants for potential to get through four years of university and beyond.
“The women who are U-Go scholars are not just getting entry-level jobs,” said U-Go board member Ari Kader-Cu. “We want these women to be wearing Max Mara. They should be getting in at management training level and excelling beyond that.”
After all, just as its brand values reveal, “A woman wearing Max Mara is nothing but a stronger version of herself.”
