Marina Rinaldi Sport

Marina Rinaldi Sport, a diffusion line of the famed Italian Max Mara Fashion Group, has been a key player in the plus-size fashion industry since its inception. Marina Rinaldi, the parent brand, was founded in 1980 and named after the great-grandmother of the founder of the Max Mara Fashion Group, Achille Maramotti. Maramotti's great-grandmother owned a fashion atelier in Reggio Emilia, Italy, in 1850, and this rich history was carried forward when Marina Rinaldi introduced its innovative collections for curvaceous women​.

The Marina Rinaldi brand was among the first to introduce the term "taglia comoda", literally translated as "comfortable size", replacing the traditional term "taglia forte" or "outsize". This was a significant step in embracing and meeting the fashion needs of plus-size women, a demographic that had often been neglected by the fashion industry​.

A few years later, in 1986, Marina Rinaldi Sport was launched as a separate company under the Marina Rinaldi umbrella. The sport line was intended to target a younger clientele, carving out a unique niche within the plus-size fashion industry​.

Marina Rinaldi Sport's designs aim to flatter fuller figures, incorporating contemporary fashion trends while maintaining a range of classic items, such as sheepskin or suede jackets, cashmere overcoats, stretch jersey turtlenecks, brushed flannel suits, and jeans in many colors. This blend of trendiness and timeless elegance has contributed to the brand's enduring appeal​​.

By the 1990s, Marina Rinaldi apparel, including the Sport line, was garnering significant space in high-end department stores like Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergford Goodman, Bloomingdale's, and Nordstrom. This surge in popularity was fueled in part by the increasing demand for plus-size fashion and the recognition of plus sizes by prominent fashion designers and retailers. As a result, Marina Rinaldi opened two U.S. flagship stores in 1998​.

In recent years, Marina Rinaldi Sport has continued to be at the forefront of innovation and inclusivity in the fashion industry. For the first time, Marina Rinaldi teamed up with Sara Battaglia to create a capsule collection unveiled during Milan Fashion Week, which hit stores in September. The collection, called "Absolutely Flawless", was inspired by the 2004 George Michael song “Flawless (Go to the City)”, and features bold designs and strong colors​.

Throughout the years, Marina Rinaldi Sport has collaborated with various designers, such as Marco de Vincenzo, Tsumori Chisato, Stella Jean, Fausto Puglisi, Roksanda Ilincic, and Antonio Berardi. These collaborations, combined with Marina Rinaldi Sport's ongoing commitment to inclusivity and women's empowerment, have solidified the brand's reputation as a leader in the plus-size fashion industry​.

Today, Marina Rinaldi Sport continues to carry the torch of its parent brand, Marina Rinaldi, embodying its pioneering spirit and commitment to serving the fashion needs of curvaceous women around the globe. The brand's enduring success is testament to its ability to blend contemporary fashion trends with timeless elegance, while always keeping the needs and desires of its clientele at the forefront.