Published
Feb 6, 2023
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BCBG Max Azria celebrates its collaboration with Maeve Reilly in Los Angeles

Published
Feb 6, 2023

A few weeks after the announcement of its collaboration with the star stylist Maeve Reilly, known for her work with Megan Fox, Lori Harvey or Winnie Harlow, BCBG Max Azria, now part of Marquee Brands group, celebrated the release of its capsule evening wear collection at Proper Santa Monica hotel. A 16-piece collection which features menswear inspired tailoring, evening gowns, statement minis and floor-length maxi dresses. 

Appointment was given to the rooftop of the hotel. In a private lounge, with neons to the glory of the two partners, cocktails and snacks for everyone, BCBG Group's creative director, Albino Riganello sat alongside Maeve Reilly for a series of interviews.


Maeve Reilly and Albino Riganello co-designed a BCBG Max Azria's capsule collection


FashionNetwork: You come to celebrate this collaboration in Los Angeles at a time when the city is experiencing a new focus on fashion and luxury, everything happens here now?
 
Maeve Reilly: Los Angeles is especially the city where all of our clients, especially those in the entertainment industry, live. It's great that Los Angeles is taking this new turn. Watching an Yves Saint Laurent show on a beach in Malibu is one of the most unforgettable moments in fashion history. I love it.

Albino Riganello: If New York, where I live, keeps a natural place for fashion, Los Angeles is inevitably inspiring. The energy of the younger generation is here.  
 
FNW: How did a collaboration like yours come about?
 

MR: We were set-up on a blind-date! To be serious, our connection was a few years ago now. Our entourage wanted us to meet and our first meeting scheduled for 45 minutes finally lasted three hours. We hit it off right away. Thank God!
 
AR: I was very intimidated to meet her. I was also very admiring of her work. I think I fell in love with her right away. I respect Maeve's point of view, and her taste. As a designer, you have to put yourself on a side for a moment and listen. She's the client ! I sketched the first things, some ideas were kept, others thrown away and we proceeded to a real edit.
 
MR: We also have the same vibe, very edgy, very androgynous. And a lot of similarities in our approach to fashion. As a stylist, I wanted to bring a different touch to the designer's world. I'm in front of clients all day during fittings. I usually know what women are looking for. So it had to be done.


Stylist Maeve Reilly at BCBG Max Azria's event


FNW: The capsule collection features color-blocking, a mood you both love?
 
MR: I think monochromatic looks can really elevate the silhouette. It's never easy to pull off. Not everyone is able to find those pieces to make it happen. Monochromatic looks are always very thoughtful. I'm known for that, I guess. I hear it all the time on the internet and on social media. 
 
AR: Prints can be tricky, and I do a lot of them. But my background is inspired by color-blocking and I really share that influence with Maeve. 

FNW: Maeve, you have collaborated with Nasty Gal and Aqua in the past, what makes this collaboration with BCBG Max Azria so special?
 
MR: I have been very lucky with all the collaborations I have done but BCBG is such an iconic brand! I grew up shopping with BCBG Max Azria. It's an honor to be included because the brand has such an iconic heritage. I also knew that working with Albino would be great. His fresh perspective is incredible.


One of the 16 pieces capsule collection co-designed by Maeve Reilly and Albino Riganello


FNW: What women did you have in mind when designing this collection?
 
MR: I like to design for all women. Women have different sides of themselves. You wake up one day and you really want to be sexy. And the next day you want to stay in your baggy, oversized suit and not show your skin. That's who I am. I know that's the way women feel because I dress them. So we want to create pieces that those same women can wear whenever they want. A lot of my followers are younger too. We needed to give them something more accessible. It's important to be affordable. 
 
FNW: Albino, you are celebrating your first anniversary as the head of creative direction for BCBG Max Azria. How will you combine the heritage of such a brand with your upcoming collections?
 
AR: When I arrived, I, of course, looked at the past. I am respectful of the brand's history. But I also have to attract new customers. Our former clients now have daughters who are interested in fashion too. Our job as designers is to be visionary. Let's respect the heritage but smile at the future.
 

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