THE HISTORIC MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA 1989 FASHION SHOW AND ITS INFLUENCE ON TODAY’S FASHION INDUSTRY

THE MARTIN MARGIELA 1989 FASHION SHOW – SS90

Paris, 20th arronsidement,1989. It’s a desolate playground in a North African neighborhood. It’s not a regular place for a fashion crowd. However, Jenny Meirens and Martin Margiela forced them to come when they decided their 1989 fashion show would take place at this playground on the outskirts of Paris. Without knowing the impact it would have on the fashion industry, it felt good to them.

START OF A NEW MOVEMENT

Fashion designer Martin Margiela has always done things differently. During the fittings before the show, he asked models about their opinions of the looks because he wanted his collection to look like they’d put it together. The show also marked the big breakthrough of the iconic Tabi Boot, an animal-like shoe with split toes. People were hysterical about it. While fashion critics doubted the entire show’s success and Margiela’s collection, the crowd loved it. The Tabi Boot looked like men’s shoes, crafted of thick leather and chunky heels, while everyone was still wearing pumps and stilettos.

Meanwhile, everyone knew this show would become history when the first models showed up. Models were hobbling on the ‘catwalk’ since it was uneven. They wore extraordinary creations, in line with Margiela’s previous seasons. The new thing about it was the entire experience combined with the collection. Unlike other brands then, Margiela didn’t use big logos, popping colours, and polished models. Everything was raw and exciting.

A NEW FORM OF MINIMALISM

As said, Martin Margiela liked to do things differently. Unlike other designer brands, you will never find a big logo on any garment of the brand. Jenny and Martin enjoyed the mystery around it. They felt that their customers had to be curious about the piece of clothing, which couldn’t happen when the logo was attached. In line with this, neither Martin Margiela nor Jenny Meirens liked to be the center of attention. These creative minds preferred to do things innovatively, and by doing so, they created the buzz without stepping into the media themselves. Today, you can still recognize Margiela’s pieces on the way the logo is attached to the inside of the piece, except for the stitches on the back of the garment.

THE MARTIN MARGIELA 1989 FASHION SHOW AND ITS INFLUENCE ON TODAY’S FASHION INDUSTRY

Fashion student Raf Simons was present at the show. It has changed his life. The successful designer used to think fashion was superficial, but this show changed his view entirely. He knew he wanted to break through in fashion as soon as possible. Furthermore, the Martin Margiela 1989 fashion show marked the end of an era in which designers exaggerated everything related to fashion, from designs to big logos to over-the-top pieces. While Margiela’s items were unique, authentic, and innovative, they required rest. The colors were calm, and the logos were absent. It formed the start of a minimalistic approach to fashion.

Margiela was among the first to re-invent vintage pieces into new items. For example, he turned a Harvard Business School sweater into a tote bag. Furthermore, in one of his shows, Margiela introduced the oversized silhouette, which is part of almost everyone’s wardrobes. Something brands such as Acne Studios and Balenciaga are now well known for. Overall, Margiela brought back authenticity. This is refreshing in a scene dominated by significant trends and polished looks, and his influence has remained ubiquitous to date.