The late Pope John Paul II in his white cassock was once photographed waving from a red Ferrari – who knew?

This was just one of the singular images on Rocco Iannone’s mood board for Ferrari’s spring collection. Other pictures stood out, ranging from the white Ferrari on the cover of Frank Ocean’s 2016 album “Blonde,” to Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas in “Miami Vice” in their iconic white Testarossa, or Goldie Hawn and Monica Vitti in other models of the legendary luxury car.

“This shows you how big, how wide is the influence Ferrari has in our life. Ferrari has many layers, and you can see all the layers in those pictures, and I like the gentle touches, the sophistication that you can find here that is not bold,” said Iannone.

“The main concept behind this collection is to reduce, especially thanks to the material research I did that was very pure and very essential,” said the designer. “It’s a very precise and focused collection. Reduction is a way to heighten meaning, emotion and connection.”

Cue the first part of the show, with loose tailored suits, flowing shirts, elongated dresses with raw edges and cargo pants in an all-white palette, from butter to optical, “not because there is a meaning behind the white, but because the yarns they are made of are in the original and natural color.”

The yarns were also spun in a delicate mesh fabric on cozy knits and leisure pants that looked comfy and perfect for the drizzly day outside – or for one of those evening parties by the beach when the breeze starts nipping.

Iannone’s expertise with materials and fabrics was telegraphed by the sponged leather pants and boxy bombers and the airbrushed knits in rust or cocoa shades on both his male and female models. The leather was either structured or soft and draped on the body.  Acid-etched denim skirts and cargo pants added a casual touch. Men also donned jackets without lapels and roomy drawstring pants.

The lineup closed with sparkling, graphic hand-made embroideries on silk that created wavy patterns on skirts and tops.

Iannone and the clothes are increasingly assertive also on the accessories front, seen in the women’s pumps made of canvas or slim, woven leather strips. The metallic detail inspired by Ferrari’s mechanical objects has become a signature of the brand and was reproduced on bags or belts, for example.

There is always a narrative behind the designer’s vision for the brand’s seasonal collections, thoughtful and based on research. For spring, it led to a strong and luxurious offer aligned with Ferrari’s lifestyle concept.