On September 10th, a commemorative event was held ahead of the reopening of the Max Mara Aoyama store, and actress Satomi Ishihara, who has been appointed as the brand's ambassador, attended.
Since its founding in Italy in 1951, Max Mara has been loved worldwide as a pioneer of ready-to-wear. The Aoyama store opened in 1993 at the intersection of Kotto-dori and Aoyama-dori, and has served as a local landmark for over 20 years. The company's chairman, Luigi Maramotti, also attended the ceremony.
Escorted by a man in a tuxedo, Ishihara descended the red-carpeted staircase inside the store. She wore a powdery pink coat made of 80% alpaca (253,000 yen), paired with a matching sheer knit (55,000 yen) and a bare dress (151,000 yen), creating a sophisticated autumn look. On being chosen as the brand's ambassador, Ishihara revealed, "I wondered, 'Am I really the right choice?' (laughs)." A 4m x 6m LED screen was installed in front of the newly renovated store, showing a special movie featuring Ishihara, allowing passersby to see her. "Omotesando is a fashion mecca, a place where fashionable people gather. While you might see photos there, it's rare to come across a screen that plays videos. Being able to see myself on such a big screen is a rare experience, and I'm extremely happy!" she said with delight. Ishihara also introduced her favorite outfit from the brand on the day. She commented on a pastel-colored coat, saying, "I fell in love with the color at first sight! It's nice to pair the coat with casual clothes like jeans, and I think I'll never get tired of it and can wear it for years to come." What if you were to wear this sophisticated outfit on a date? In response to this question, she said, "I once went to see (R&B singer) Lauryn Hill's comeback concert at Blue Note, and I wished I had worn something nicer. Enjoying a concert over dinner would be nice, or if we were in Japan, I'd like to go on a date to an art museum," expressing her desire for an autumnal art-seeking date.
Once again, Ishihara described her appointment as an ambassador as "a challenge." "I wondered if I, who am only 157cm tall, could pull off Max Mara, but even if I'm not tall, the clothes fit beautifully. I wouldn't have known this until I tried. There are things you discover when you try, so I want to continue taking on challenges. I want to become accustomed to wearing Max Mara clothes," she said, promising to take on further challenges and grow into a mature woman.
Max Mara Aoyama store will reopen on September 13th.
