Maison Margiela, previously Maison Martin Margiela, established in 1988 by Belgian designer Martin Margiela. This is a luxury French brand that emphasizes traditionality and elegance in their designs, as well as novelty and beauty. Since its establishment, Maison Margiela left many unique fashion heritages that make its mark on the world.
1. Maison Margiela and the Deconstruction Era
Deconstruction is the core value of Maison Margiela. The designs of this trendsetter are created based on these principles: Create imperfections, rearrange details, recreate body structure, create a sense of destruction, asymmetry. Margiela plays with his designs and considers them “an architectural deconstruction of the human form”, unfinished in nature. The Deconstruction aesthetic of Maison Margiela has a strong influence to this day.
RESOURCE: THE REAL REAL, LOST BIRD
IMAGE: MAISON MARGIELA SPRING 2017 HAUTE COUTURE
2. Sustainability in luxury designs
RESOURCE: L’OFFICIEL
IMAGE: MAISON MARGIELA FALL 2020 RTW
Maison Margiela’s designs are the very definition of “Upcycling Haute Couture”. The design team not only utilizes used materials but also skillfully crafts the pieces. From there, the apparel is completely transformed, and their value anew. “These throwaway materials are given life and they can be reborn with purpose”. Maison Margiela revolutionized the material world of fashion, not only encouraging sustainability but also profoundly environmental within the brand.
3. The fashion brand with an elite mystery
Anonymity, mystery and tenacity are the creative philosophies of Maison Martin Margiela himself. Often hiding his models’ faces with masks, his main intent is drawing the audience’s focus towards the outfits themselves. Refusing to show his personality to the world, Margiela’s sole outlet of expression are his fashion collections. Many experts in the industry have described Margiela as someone who “wishes to live his private life away from the flashing lights of the fashion world”. Having a faceless presence has contributed to Margiela’s influence in the fashion industry.
4. Having a global influence in fashion
RESOURCE: The Washinton Post
Martin Margiela is considered the “aged tree” of the fashion world, with his influences rooting and branching out to designer brands all around the world. The signature fashion lines of his, such as Tabi Boots or masks, are often highly anticipated in his shows. He is also a major source of inspiration for other famous designers. Marc Jacobs once said: “Anyone who is conscious of the world is conscious of Margiela.”
Inheriting and promoting the "soul" left by the talented designer, the Maison Margiela brand has been and will increasingly strengthen its position and influence in the fashion industry worldwide.