Throughout his career as a fashion designer, Martin Margiela has sought to disrupt the conventions of fashion and to create new experiences. He was the first to introduce recycling into his designs, using army socks, broken crockery, thrifted clothing, and plastic packaging, among other things. His outfits show signs of wear and tear and his fashion often goes beyond the boundaries of clothing. In 2008, he decided to move on from fashion just after Maison Martin Margiela’s twentieth anniversary show. Since then, he has devoted himself exclusively to the visual arts, where he continues to work with transformation and diversion.
Born in 1957 in Leuven (Belgium), Martin Margiela began his fashion studies in 1977 at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp. In 1984, he worked with Jean Paul Gaultier until he launched his own label, Maison Margiela, in 1988. He left it twenty years later in 2008 to devote himself exclusively to the visual arts. He lives and works in Belgium.
Born in 1957 in Leuven (Belgium), Martin Margiela began his fashion studies in 1977 at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp. In 1984, he worked with Jean Paul Gaultier until he launched his own label, Maison Margiela, in 1988. He left it twenty years later in 2008 to devote himself exclusively to the visual arts. He lives and works in Belgium.