Max had built his career in the luxury world, rising through the ranks at Prada, but his journey began long before the boutiques of New York or Miami. He was 18 when he left Ukraine, chasing education and opportunity across Germany and France. A trained opera conductor, Max knew what it meant to study, to sacrifice, and to strive without a safety net.

“There is no Plan B,” he explains. “There’s no way back; only forward. That’s the definition of the American dream.”

That relentless drive carried him to New York, where he balanced his passion for music with jobs in retail. His first retail role had been at Hugo Boss in Germany, but in New York he combined both worlds, music and fashion, working at the Metropolitan Opera’s merchandising department. “I spent three wonderful years there,” Max recalls. “It gave me an understanding of what it takes to run an opera company at scale; the logistics, the merchandising, the business side of culture.”

Eventually, Prada called. Max joined as a client advisor, learning the art of high-end client relationships. He later left to join Berluti, the French shoemaker famed for its craftsmanship, before returning to Prada. Today, as the Made to Measure Director for the Americas, Max helps clients design garments that are deeply personal; pieces that tell their story.

The Drive of a Leader

Max has always felt an urgency to succeed. “When you come from another country, you push yourself harder because you feel there’s no alternative. And once you have a family, that feeling only intensifies. You’re working for something much bigger than yourself.”

That philosophy, of moving forward, of building for others, would become the foundation for his friendship with Jason.

Meeting Jason: A Shared Philosophy

More than ten years ago, Jason walked into Prada as a client. He wasn’t just there to shop. He wanted to know: How would this fabric hold up? Would it keep its shape? What made one garment more resilient than another?

For Max, Jason stood out. “He wasn’t just interested in buying clothing, he was interested in understanding it. That curiosity, that passion for quality, it was different. And that’s where our conversations started.”

Soon those conversations moved beyond fabrics. They talked about family, about business, about what success really means. Before long, their families knew each other, and what began as a client relationship became a true friendship.

Max saw in Jason a reflection of his own values. “Jason is one of those people who never looks back; he only looks forward. He puts his family number one, always. But he also does it for his extended family: his employees, his partners, his friends. That’s something I’ve learned from him: success is much bigger than yourself.”

Jason has a phrase he repeats often: “If you are successful, then I am successful.”

“For some people, that’s just a saying,” Max explains. “But Jason truly means it. When the people around him thrive, that drives him even more to create, to build, to innovate. He ties his success to theirs. That’s rare.”

Radical Generosity in Action

Jason and Max’s friendship thrives on generosity not just in words, but in practice. They swap ideas constantly: the latest garment care tips, new cleaning technologies, and behind-the-scenes knowledge that helps extend the life of even the most delicate fabrics. They also open doors for one another, introducing great contacts and connecting networks that might not have crossed paths otherwise.

For Sudsies guests, this generosity has a direct impact. It means our team is always learning about new fabrics before they hit the market, already equipped with the know-how to care for them properly. It means when you trust us with a beloved garment, you’re benefiting from a network of expertise that stretches far beyond our walls.

And for Max, the trust flows both ways. He knows he can confidently send clients to Sudsies, assured that their garments, often one-of-a-kind or deeply personal pieces, will receive the same meticulous care and respect that he promises them. This circle of trust strengthens both sides: Sudsies gains insights that keep us ahead of the curve, and Max gains peace of mind knowing his customers have the best partner for preserving their investments.

A Friendship Beyond Fashion

Over the years, Max and Jason’s relationship has deepened. They’ve shared milestones, celebrated successes, and supported each other through different seasons of life.

“Jason is young at heart,” Max says. “He’s always curious, always learning. That inspires me too. We both believe you should wake up every day excited about what you do, whether that’s conducting music, tailoring a suit, or restoring a priceless garment. That passion is what makes the work meaningful.”

For Max, the young dreamer who arrived with no safety net, and Jason, the CEO who built a company on generosity, their friendship represents something bigger than business. It’s about community. It’s about the joy of seeing others succeed. And it’s about doing work that matters not just to yourself, but to everyone around you.

Because in the end, the real secret to success is right in front of you:

Friendship.