Fashion Prodigy Max Alexander, 10, Makes Paris Fashion Week History — With Mentor Fern Mallis Cheering From the Front Row

The youngest designer ever to show a runway collection in Paris has a powerful supporter: the creator of New York Fashion Week.

You can have talent. You can be a prodigy. But it helps to have someone who believes in you.

For 10-year-old Max Alexander, who just made history as the youngest designer to showcase a runway collection during Paris Fashion Week, that person is Fern Mallis — creator of New York Fashion Week and widely known as the “Godmother of Fashion.”

The two met when Max was 8 and instantly clicked.

Kismet and Macaroons

“We bonded over macarons originally, when he came into the city,” Mallis says. “Little did I know that Ladurée macarons were his favorite cookies. I had picked some up from the Ladurée store on Madison Avenue and when Max’s mother, Sherri, saw them, she said, ‘OMG.’ That’s how it started.”

Last summer, Max and Mallis collaborated on a creative caftan collection #FerntotheMax that they showed and sold at Five Story in Southampton.

Front & Center at Paris Fashion Week

On March 3, 2026 — a few days after Max’s 10th birthday — Mallis had a front-row seat at the famed Palais Garnier, the ornate and stunning Paris opera house where Max debuted his 15-piece sustainable collection during Paris Fashion Week.

As one of Max’s mentors — and the person he dedicated the Paris show to — Mallis said she “wouldn’t have missed the show for the world.”

And the world was watching. Millions of Max Alexander’s followers saw the Paris show unfold live as it streamed on his social media channels.

After the finale — a spectacular large orange dress made from military parachute material — the first person Max ran to hug as the audience cheered was Mallis, who handed him a bouquet of flowers.

A Fashion Prodigy and a 4th Grader

Paris Fashion Week was a career highlight for Max, who has been designing since he was 4 (technically more than half his life). He is so accomplished that it is sometimes hard to believe he is still “just a kid,” as his mother and manager, Sherri Madison, is quick to point out.

Max is an extraordinarily talented, sensitive and caring fourth grader who, Madison adds, “just happens to be a fashion prodigy.”

His future, at just 10 years old, Mallis says, is more than bright.

Interview: Fern Mallis

How was the show, and how was Max received in Paris?

Amazing. The audience there went crazy. It was such a mature, grown-up show. I think people were gobsmacked when he walked out to take his bow — a 10-year-old boy. You would never have dreamed that in a million years.

What did you think of the line?

I thought it was terrific — 15 looks, every one unique and special. Every one had a story.

One used Free People fabric and recycled material bags. He took a bunch of those, washed them, softened them, crinkled them up and turned them into ruffles in the front of a dress. I thought it looked like a (Simone) Zimmermann dress.

Then there were Tiffany patches — he flattened them and made a bodice of a dress. The orange parachute dress used old-stock Hermès parachute cloth. Another dress was so beautiful and angular — a sari he cut up.

He used everything he could get his hands on. Everything was about his sustainable mission.

How did Max feel about the show?

He was delirious. He’s really such a good kid. He doesn’t act like, “Oh, I did a show in Paris.” He’s moving on — playing cards, doing the next thing, going back to school with his friends.

He did a lot of interviews. He’s very articulate and speaks beautifully about what he’s doing. He’s even speaking French. He says Dior was his first inspiration. He went to the Dior atelier and saw the workshop — he said he loved it.

Max is really just delightful. He’s mature and wise beyond his age. He observes and sees everything.

So it was a good trip to Paris?

I could not be more proud of Max and the program. The show was dedicated to me, which was very meaningful. And I could not be happier that I made a quick trip to Paris to support him and cheer him from the front row. — Fern Mallis