The magpie-like girls from Maison Margiela’s Fall ready-to-wear show have evolved into exotic and strange women at couture. It’s a good thing, too, because it allowed John Galliano’s masterful hand show through the craftsmanship of the collection. While you wait for Tim Blanks’ take on the line, catch up on 10 talking points below.
1. The ultimate Haute Couture seating: Everyone is in the front row.
2. Maison Margiela technicians primped the looks before the runway, all while wearing the house’s signature white lab coats.
3. Some models sported face paint that looked like torn fabric for an Expressionist feel. Others were painted with palm leaves evoking the work of Henri Matisse.
4. Who knew a burlap sack could be so chic?
5. Raf Simons wasn’t the only designer to look toward art world masters this season. This Margiela jacket pays homage to the styles of Impressionism.
6. A selection of male models walked in the show, wearing dresses, heels, and often a touch of makeup.
7. The shoes were a collage-like creation of a circular metal heel and a pump front.
8. The mariée arrived at the end of the show swathed in a plastic-trimmed gown. In case you were looking for that Galliano drama, here it is.
9. Why have a veil when you can have a trompe l’oeil tulle net across your eyes and a voluminous headpiece?
10. “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” by Marvin Gaye played during the entire show, often with the instruments extracted so just the vocals could be heard. Read into that what you will.
—Steff Yotka, Style.com
