Square eyes: CoopDPS designs geometric eyewear for Max Mara
Memphis’ founding members Nathalie Du Pasquier and George Sowden collaborate on a bold and bright Max Mara sunglasses

The most fruitful creative alliances are, ostensibly, those which straddle several different disciplines at once. Evidence for which: Max Mara’s new collaboration with CoopDPS – the title shared by painter Nathalie Du Pasquier and designer George Sowden – bridges art, fashion and industrial design, to create a limited-edition pair of bright, geometric sunglasses. What better formula for enthusiasm, energy and innovation?
That CoopDPS’ legacy is so deeply rooted in Milan, where the artist and the designer first met at a party in 1979 and have lived together ever since, makes it a natural fit for the Italian house. They began developing ideas and drawings together immediately, and two years later, in September 1981, the very first Memphis exhibition took place during Salone del Mobile. With it, the duo – partners in life, as well as in work – became founding members of a movement which was to redefine postmodern design and architecture.
Du Pasquier and Sowden continued to work together through Memphis for seven years before deciding to refocus on their painting and industrial design practices respectively. But in 2014, they relaunched their collaboration under the new title, CoopDPS. ‘Interestingly and importantly, work done in collaboration takes on a quality which is different to projects developed individually,' says Sowden.
RELATED STORY
Circles and squares collide in the resulting style for Max Mara, named Neoprism and inspired by the two shapes which form the Prism logo. The geometric style is available in two bold colourways – orange, and black – and nods to the creative duo’s legacy, while also drawing on the combination of function and elegance at the core of the brand’s identity. ‘The prism being a combination of a circle and a square is quite a "modernist" idea,' Du Pasquier explains. ‘It takes us back to the time women started participating in the working life, it takes us back to the origin of Max Mara.'
The house’s eyewear collections have long been fertile ground for artist collaborations; in recent seasons, it has turned to graphic artist Shantell Martin and muralist Maya Hayuk, among others, to reimagine its Prism style. ‘Both art and fashion are representing the time in which they are made,' Du Pasquier concludes. In its collaboration with CoopDPS, Max Mara’s new styles reflect a contemporary society which happily looks back, in order to look forwards.
Left, portrait of Nathalie Du Pasquier. Right, Neoprism square sunglasses by Max Mara
Left, portrait of George Sowden. Right, Neoprism square sunglasses by Max Mara
INFORMATION
-
A Trellick tower apartment’s contemporary makeover
A Trellick tower apartment gets a contemporary makeover by architecture studio Buchholzberlin and art consultant Peter Heimer
By Ellie Stathaki • Published
-
Last chance to see: Sharjah Biennial 15, ‘Thinking Historically in the Present’
Built on the vision of late curator Okwui Enwezor, the Sharjah Biennial 15: ‘Thinking Historically in the Present’ offers a critical reframing of postcolonial narratives through major new commissions
By Amah-Rose Abrams • Published
-
For London Gallery Weekend 2023, the mood is hardcore
With London Gallery Weekend 2023 almost upon us (2 – 4 June), here’s our list of must-see art exhibitions
By Harriet Lloyd-Smith • Published
-
Patricia Urquiola on her rule-breaking capsule collection for Weekend Max Mara
‘Sometimes you just have to change the rules,’ says Spanish architect and designer Patricia Urquiola on her colourful capsule for Weekend Max Mara, designed to reflect the needs and contradictions of everyday life
By Jack Moss • Last updated
-
Salvatore Ferragamo’s new sunglasses give summer an injection of colour
Inspired by the house’s famed 1938 ‘Rainbow Shoe’ and the colourful vigour of 1980s accessories, a new sustainably minded collection of sunglasses from Salvatore Ferragamo is ready for brighter days ahead
By Jack Moss • Last updated
-
Made in Italy eyewear from Brunello Cucinelli and Oliver Peoples
Here are five new eyewear designs to covet as Brunello Cucinelli and Oliver Peoples team up to focus on craftsmanship and heritage
By Hannah Silver • Last updated
-
Warby Parker and Entireworld’s socially conscious sunglasses
These two American brands have teamed up to create a colourful take on Warby Parker’s classic ‘Hatcher’ sunglasses, including a donation to the Equal Justice Initiative
By Pei-Ru Keh • Last updated
-
JW Anderson x Persol: sunglasses to style up the summer heatwave
‘I have always been a fan of Persol,’ says Jonathan Anderson. ‘They are a design classic; I wear them all the time’
By Laura Hawkins • Last updated
-
Kengo Kuma sunglasses: wearable architecture?
The renowned Japanese architect has teamed up with eyewear brand Vava on a capsule collection incorporating sustainable, organic materials and the latest in 3D-printing technology
By Laura Hawkins • Last updated
-
Women's jackets: how to stand out in style this spring
We present the women's jackets for making a style statement this season. Button up and buckle in
By Laura Hawkins • Last updated
-
Donald Robertson’s gaffer tape butterflies flit to Weekend Max Mara
Donald Robertson – famed American illustrator – creates figurative winged creatures for Weekend Max Mara's S/S 2021 collection
By Laura Hawkins • Last updated