Treasured pieces and works of art. Max Mara celebrate the fifth anniversary of the iconic Whitney Bag.

The Whitney Museum of American Art in New York was founded in 1930 by sculptor, art patron and collector Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney. 2015 saw an emergence and rebirthing of the museum when it moved into the now iconic Renzo Piano designed building – an off-beat and significantly larger space, facing the High Line at 99 Gansvevoort Street.

To celebrate the opening of the new Whitney Museum of American Art in 2015, Max Mara collaborated with the Renzo Piano Building Workshop to create another notable Icon, the Whitney Bag. Crafted in soft, quality leather with inside pocket and snap hook, the design features mimic those of the architectural structure of the Renzo Piano designed building. An elegant smooth surface, distinctive ribbing forming fine lines that reflect the steel tie-beamed exterior façade.

Five years later, Max Mara celebrates the anniversary of the Whitney Bag and the opening of the Renzo Piano designed space with a revived special edition of the cult classic. Dedicated to American painter Florine Stettheimer (1871-1944), the feminist and activist is of a highly important presence at the Whitney. Stettheimer’s work dreamily titled Sun, created in 1931, was the inspiration behind the bag’s floral printed lining and five new colourways in muted pink, plum, orange, red and rich yellow. Five sweet signature pieces customers are able to collect, like works of art for each anniversary year.

This isn’t the first time the Italian luxury house has extended a hand within the creative field, the brand has a long generous history in supporting the arts with the bi-annual Max Mara Art Prize for Women, along with the families private art collection, Collezione Maramotti in Reggio Emilia.

Be sure to also catch our shoot and interview in collaboration with Max Mara and Women In Film here.