Unravelling the Mystery of Martin Margiela

By Ashantéa Austin

People constantly ask me why Martin Margiela is my favorite designer…to which I simply reply: how could he not be?

If he isn’t yours, then he is likely your favorite designer’s favorite designer. Despite being shrouded in enigmatic mystery, Martin is undeniably one of the most influential creatives of the 20th century. In this article I review Martin’s life from the beginning, his closest collaborators, fashion legacy, and accolades as an artist.

Many have tried to write about the illusive icon, and often get even the most basic details about Martin wrong. Large publications have written that he was born in 1959 (wrong) founded MMM on his own (wrong) and that he graduated from the Royal Academy of Art in 1980 (you guessed it, also wrong). Let’s uncover the truth together.

Lafayette Anticipations book signed by Martin Margiela

This information has all been carefully collected by me from Martin’s interviews, family members, peers, and previous employees over a 4 year period! So enjoy this comprehensive timeline on the man, the myth, the mystery: Martin Margiela.
MY SUBTOPICS AS DISCUSSED:
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS(1957-1977)
FORMATIVE FASHION SCHOOL (1977-1979)
- POST GRAD BLUES (1980-1983)
A RARE INTERVIEW (1983)
MARTIN MARGIELA’S MENTOR (1984-1987)
THE BIRTH OF MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA (1988)
- THE “ANTI LABEL”
THE FIRST TABI BOOT & COLLECTION(1989)
OPPOSITES ATTRACT: MARTIN FOR HERMÈS (1997-2003)
THE BEGINNING OF THE END (2003-2008)
A LASTING LEGACY (2009-)
MARTIN’S NEW LEASE ON LIFE
A BIOGRAPHY TIMELINE
ALL WORKES SITED & SOURCED…