A First Look At MoMu Presents: ‘Margiela: The Hermès Years’

We could all use some good news right about now.

We’re delighted to be the ones to inform you that for the very first time, MoMu Fashion Museum Antwerp will be displaying the works of Belgian designer icon Martin Margieladuring his time at Hermès from 1997 until 2003. Starting March 31st 2017 and running until August 27th of the same year, you’ll be able to explore a riveting tribute expo which delves into the correlation between the designer’s Hermès collections and his own revolutionary label, Maison Martin Margiela (which was rebranded as ‘Maison Margiela’ six years after the designer quietly left the label in 2009).

Hermès AW99 – photo: Joanna Van Mulder / Maison Martin Margiela  AW90 – photo: Ronald Stoops – graphic design: Jelle Jespers — *Hermès AW99 – photo: Joanna Van Mulder / Maison Martin Margiela AW90 – photo: Ronald Stoops – graphic design: Jelle Jespers*

If you were unaware that the cryptic, anonymity-enshrouded designer had even had such a long run at the prestigious Parisian house, you are surely not alone and all the more reason to submerge yourself into this truly unique era in fashion. Putting an avant-garde designer with such a long-standing reputation for deconstructed, off-kilter and conceptual designs at the helm of the pinnacle of French luxe sent the fashion press into a frenzy at the time (imagine the copious amounts of shade if 90s Twitter had been around).

Hermès SS01 – photo: Alexia Silvagni / Maison Maison Martin Margiela AW91 – photo: Ronald Stoops – graphic: design Jelle Jespers — *Hermès SS01 – photo: Alexia Silvagni / Maison Maison Martin Margiela AW91 – photo: Ronald Stoops – graphic: design Jelle Jespers*

Over the course of twelve collections, Margiela infused the brand with a sleek and monochrome vision which has aged remarkably well, the tell-tale sign of luminary design. Pairing his ideas with the perfection-driven artisans at Hermès makes these collections so remarkable and I for one can’t wait to get up-close with these garments, which continue to influence fashion today.