Couture Week: Maison Martin Margiela SS14
For this collection Maison Martin Margiela found preciousness in the un-precious or overlooked, and celebrated craft of hand. This collection was all about collecting, gathering up bits and pieces from past eras and places, in a bid to repurpose them for now. Pieces were wrapped and draped with textiles designed by artists, while some fabrics were sourced from private collections. These were against a multitude of shimmering beauties from beads, chains, soda-can pulls, crystals, keys and may more, all clustered together to create the most visually appealing elements of the collection. The whole show was bizarre, yet absolutely mesmerizing.
Cherished cloth had been completely transformed and all these things given a brand new lease of life. There was an opera coat cut from a 1920’s Bauhaus tapestry that was simply remarkable. MMM’s approach to raw materials was innovative and exciting. An old rescue blanket and silk scarves from a 1930’s brothel were just few of many unusual yet intriguing materials used to compile such a compelling collection. Elaborate embroideries based on designs made by the famous fifties tattooist Sailor Jerry, adorned models bodies, which looked spectacular. With the models faces covered completely by black veils with embroidered eyeholes, it added a certain eerie and creepy aesthetic to the show. However, this did not distract from the stunning selection of garments that was put on show. Everyone loves a good story behind a garment, or a piece with an interesting history, which is one of the reasons we think that this years Maison Martin Margiela show was such a resounding hit.
Feature: Lucy Dixon