Rare Pieces of Martin Margiela-Era Margiela Are on Sale Now

For Maison Margiela, 2019 marks two important anniversaries: 30 years since its founding in 1989 by Belgian designer Martin Margiela and Jenny Meirens – then Maison Martin Margiela – and a decade since the designer left his namesake brand. The 20-year bracket between 1989 and 2009 was celebrated with a recent exhibition in Paris exploring the unparallelled influence of Margiela – the designer and the brand – that opened last year, tracing his legacy via some of his most subversive designs. “His influence in fashion was immediate,” the curator of Margiela / Galliera, 1989-2009, Alexandre Samson, told AnOther at the time. “He is one of the rare contemporary creators to fully question the fashion system, from its conception – using all that fashion has always hidden: linings, manufacturing processes – to its presentation, through its uses.”

The fearless innovation of Margiela’s collections, and the designer’s famous anonymity, resulted in highly collectible garments. Now, an online auction from Artcurial sees over 200 pieces from 1989 to 2009 up for sale, pulled from a number of private collections (notably that of Quidam de Revel, whose collection of fashion and jewellery is one of France’s most significant). The extensive auction includes some of Maison Margiela’s most recognised and enduring designs – there are four pairs of Tabis featured – as well as more unique pieces, like the ‘fragile’ taped shoes of Spring/Summer 2006, a leather bag with a trompe l’oeil Chesterfield sofa print from Autumn/Winter 2004, a duvet coat from Autumn/Winter 1999 and the pattern of a jacket from Autumn/Winter 1997. Running until March 11, the auction, Martin Margiela: Anvers & Contre Tous, presents a rare opportunity to own pieces by one of contemporary fashion’s most important figures.

Martin Margiela: Anvers & Contre Tous is online at Artcurial from March 6 – 11, 2019