opening today at somerset house is maison martin margiela ‘20′, an extensive showcase that celebrates 20 years of the brand’s conceptual approach to fashion. on display are installations, photography, video and film that elaborate on designer martin margiela’s philosophy, from its deconstructivist design aesthetics to avant-garde couture and understated branding to store interiors and love for trompe-l’œil. the show was previously staged at modemuseum in antwerp and munich’s haus der kunst. location: strand [strand].

maison martin margiela put an artsy little video online today to promote its real-size trompe-l’œil door stickers [printed on fabric]. this is a series of black + white pictures of doors, included in the brand’s line 13 of objects & publications, and comes in three sizes / models: a french single door 236×77 cm, a french single door 210×84 cm and also one in haussmann style 225×120 cm.



© maison martin margiela / photo: still of video by simon elephant

note: click image to enlarge

this one’s a must-see for die-hard fashionistas. we’re talking the final days of a show dedicated to martin margiela’s widely admired 0 or artisanal collection. on display are a series of men’s and women’s designs from several seasons [on until may 17]. location: martin margiela store, 2nd floor, 5-10-1 jingumae [harajuku].



© maison martin margiela / photo: jacket made of a swiss army bag [s/s 2006]

wow…looks like martin margiela has officially gone mainstream. earlier this week it launched a homeware collection at the salone del mobile in milan and now our eye caught this, although kooky-cool, collab with french helmet manufacturer ateliers ruby.

the carbon shell is varnished and then covered with paint that has a meudon white effect, the pure yet imperfect white shade that’s a hallmark of the martin margiela brand. it’s a limited-edition of 600 only and each helmet is numbered. the collab helmet is available at colette [paris] and online at oki-ni.

munich got a double margiela treat with the recent and simultaneous launch of the designer’s 20 retrospective exhibition at the haus der kunst [on until jun 1] and opening of his first flagship store in germany. the opening bash was attended by the local arts scene, glitterati and fashion-forward industrials who were ferried in style on white rickshaws and white bikes from the store to the museum [see image below]. the 270 sqm. store is located on top-notch maximilianstrasse and features both menswear and womenswear collections. location: maximilanstrasse 34 [altstadt].

© jörg koopmann [bottom image]