John Galliano, Creative Director of Maison Margiela
Deconstructive / ingenious hidden identities
Origin: Paris, France
Embracing the philosophy that fashion is an artistic expression rather than a cult for personality
Daring and ambiguous, Maison Margiela designs Haute Couture (“Artisanal”), women’s and men’s ready-to-wear, bags, shoes, small leather goods, fine jewelry, fragrances, interior design objects and MM6, its contemporary line.
Maison Margiela was founded by Martin Margiela, a Belgian fashion designer, in 1988. Earlier, Margiela had studied fashion at the Royal Academy of Antwerp, and although he graduated a year earlier- In 1979, he is often mistaken for a member of the university’s Avant-garde fashion collective: the Antwerp Six.
“An experience that changes nothing is hardly worth having”
The group highlights Belgian fashion designers: Walter van Beirendonk, Ann Demeulemeester, Dries Van Noten, Dirk Van Saene, Dirk Bikkembergs, and Marina Yee. During the 1980s Margiela became inspired by deconstructive fashions introduced by Japanese avant-gardists such as Rei Kawakubo- creator of Comme des Garçons.
Margiela began utilizing the aesthetic for his own work while freelancing in Milan, Italy. From 1984 to 1987 he held the position of design assistant at Jean Paul Gaultier. In 1988, Martin launched his own self-titled design label Maison Martin Margiela.
