Margiela, les années Hermès

In a world where large conglomerates rule the fashion industry, the designer who takes the path less trodden and sets up his own shop often sticks out like a sore thumb. This was Martin Margiela's reality for the two decades he worked as a designer with his own Maison Martin Margiela label and subsequently with Hermes as its creative director.

While many designers would be content with being taken in by a major label to catapult them into becoming household names, Margiela thrived on the fringes of the fashion world. He was as elusive to the public eye as much as his works were subversive and radical. After all, it was him who gave the fashion world its first vest made of wire and porcelain and 'four-sleeved' coats. But if Margiela's designs were provocative, his presentations were even more unorthodox. He once held a show inside a Salvation Army store after a critic remarked that his designs looked like attire for the Salvation Army adherents.

This bold attitude towards the fashion industry and an unflinching passion for fabric were the keystones to Maison Martin Margiela's success and perhaps the reason why Margiela seemed like a perfect fit for Hermes according to the executives. The Musee des Arts Decoratifs' new exhibition offers keen insights into the creative mind of Margiela with a special focus on his collaboration with Hermes and the designs he produced during this period.

 

Curator
Marie-Sophie CARRON DE LA CARRIÈRE, Chief curator

 

Useful information

Date of the exhibition:
From March 22 until September 2, 2018

Opening Hours:
Tuesdays to Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Starting from March 22, 2018, open until 9 p.m. on Thursdays (Temporary Exhibitions only)
Closed on Mondays

Address :
Musée des Arts Décoratifs
107, rue de Rivoli
75001 Paris
France