Anyone who follows fashion knows that the life of Belgian designer cum deconstructionist Martin Margiela has always been shrouded with mystery. Deliberately obscured the way Anna Wintour’s bangs have veiled her forehead through the years, Margiela’s quirks and processes have only been documented by hear-says, turning him into some sort of revered urban legend.
But unlike those myths, Margiela’s legacy is a fact. And to buttress his relevance, the ModeMuseum Provincie Antwerpen (or the MoMu Museum in Antwerp) is holding a five-month long exhibition entitled “Margiela: The Hermès Years.” This serves as a visual history of his time at the traditional Parisian fashion house from 1997 to 2003.
The exhibit explores Margiela’s nuanced and divergent approach to design, something that museum director Kaat Debo felt was lacking when the pieces were showcased on the runway years back. It was easy to judge the aesthetic of his pieces by simply eyeing how a model sported them. But his genius can only be fully appreciated up close, personal, and juxtaposed to his work at his own fashion house.
Photo by Stany Dederen
Hence, the pieces are displayed in a fashion that lets the viewer comprehend the continuity of his sartorial vision, his respect to silhouette, and his obsession to the littlest details that turn a simple garment into understated luxury.
I especially like Suzy Menkes’ thorough examination and thoughtful rumination of this exhibit here: http://www.vogue.co.uk/gallery/suzy-menkes-martin-margiela-discusses-his-hermes-years
But of course, the best way to reminisce and remember Margiela’s genius is to see these pieces yourself.
Featured Banner Credits: Stany Dederen and Marina Faust
