July 05, 2013

I N T E R I O R / Inside Maison Martin Margiela

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From the outside one would never know that there is a little Margiela universe behind the thick walls of the former convent. There is no sign, no logo, nothing indicating that these are the headquarters of the Maison. Ultra discrete. Only in my wildest dreams would I ever enter this place, it was absolutely insane being invited (and getting a tour) by Maison Martin Margiela, which traditionally only communicated with press through a fax machine.

Before I knew it, I was standing in their entrance hall underneath the iconic veiled chandelier. The entire place was of course decorated with all their legendary stuff and furniture; the painted couch, trompe-l'oeil everywhere, the bottle lamps, piles and piles of their deconstructed lookbooks, empty snow globes and I even spotted a fax machine. Almost everything in white and stripped from its identity, even the computers were partly covered hiding the apples logos. As a tradition from Martin, all staff from all departments were still wearing the white overall uniforms, creating a sense of equality and collectiveness. As a visitor there was just no way to figure out who is from the design team, who is in sales, who cleans the toilets.

Most doors were covered with a picture of a different door creating a trompe-l'oeil effect, these were pictures of the doors at the first Maison Martin Margiela headquarters. When they moved in 2004 this was a way to take a piece of their former home with them. Though they didn't change or cover up much about the identity of this building, none of the walls are painted but left in their natural old, sometimes dilapidating state. Which makes a beautiful contrast with all the white, the crafted clothes and accessories. It was just one big space where creativity flows everywhere.

40 comments:

Adelajda said...

wow, amazing!

Álvaro said...

that´s awesome! it has to be a wonderful place. MMM is one of the most inspiring brands, so magical. And also so close to you, congrats!


hiPop said...

WOW, envy you so much for the opportunity to see behind the MMM scenes!

http://hypemyhip.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

this is crazy ivania
absolute beautiful pictures

Unknown said...

incredible awesomeness. so loving all the whiteness


http://www.vasilievablog.com

FASHION SNAG said...

Cool place!

www.FashionSnag.com

Anonymous said...

So cool to see inside a peek of their studios and offices. I never would have imagined being able to see it in person! *SIGH*

Unknown said...

How lucky you were to be able to visit :) I like the bottle lamp but the thing that I like the most is the stripped wood flooring on the last photograph! It's beautiful and I would love to have it in my one day house to pad across and have my children play on and dog clatter his paws across.

Flora

www.twowithseven.blogspot.co.uk

The Fancy Teacup said...

Such an iconic experience!

www.TheFancyTeacup.com

TeuntjeVDW said...

Breathtaking! xx.

Marjolein | NeverTooPolished said...

Wow, wat gaaf Iraida! Ziet er prachtig uit en het klinkt zelf nog beter...

x

Duck said...

Holy Margiela Motherload!!

But, as you say, this is not how the Margiela of old did business... In a way don't you think it's kind of a shame? Inviting people into the space like this is, in some ways, just another sign of the continuing commercialisation of the brand and the destruction of what Margiela himself started out with. It's like on the one hand they want to continue to be seen as cool and avantgarde (keeping all the white, showing 'couture', etc), but on the other hand they court celebrities, throw brash parties in New York, haven't blacklisted Kanye West. It's kind of like a Disney World version of the Maison.

No disrespect meant to you here, obviously I would also jump at the chance to see behind those doors too. But the more 'open' the brand seems to be, the more it loses its uniqueness, its cachet almost, and starts seeming just like all the others...

Anonymous said...

Blacklisting Kanye
hahaha

Eva (Creativity and Chocolate) said...

Wow, absolutely amazing!! lucky you :) xx

www.creativityandchocolate.com

de|constructed said...

Thanks for sharing with us! This is a dream location for sure!!!

Have a nice weekend!
Gigi

LOVE AESTHETICS said...

@Duck
Thank you for your always critical and honest opinion
I hate to say that i have to partly agree with you, in a way yes, I do think it's kind of a shame

maria said...

i agree with what duck and you (ivania) are saying abotu the uniqueness of mmm, but it is still super amazing that someone that's from the blogosphere is the one that's invited to go there, and not kanye or so, which means they are still noticing who the new comers are, and you are so influential and inspirational to the fashion generation that I honestly believe you're the perfect choice! could not be happier for you!

Aleksandra said...

Amazing !

she. said...

Stunning.

Chantelle said...

absolutely stunning interior decor, very reflective of the MMM aesthetic.

Naelle Devannah said...

Truly inspiring and amazing. Thanks for sharing!

Jessie said...

this is awesome! thanks for sharing this wonderful experience.

Anonymous said...

Wow, this is really beautiful.
And you seem to have portrayed the space so well in your photographs.

cyeoms said...

my two favorite aesthetics finally meet. thank you for sharing the experience x

Anonymous said...

Wow! Thats a dream come true!

Shelly said...

You deserve it Ivania! You are one of the few who can describe MMM's magic in such a way!

http://bythewear.blogspot.in/

Unknown said...

You and MMM are a match made in minimalist heaven! You are incredibly lucky to have been invited to the headquarters, what an amazing experience! xx

ohmygilded.blogspot.com

Raez said...

Wow, just incredible! The MMM headquarters is just as surreal as I imagined it to be, and your beautiful photos and detailed description painted it perfectly.

Definitely an opportunity of a lifetime--so happy for you Ivania, you go girl!

xx

Giuliano Bolivar said...

I love how you talk about it <3

Gabby said...

That is an awesome opportunity to be able to visit Margiela's headquarter! Your aesthetics are undeniably in line with theirs and thanks to these images alongside your story, I am more knowledgeable about the brand. I can now appreciate their uniqueness in the midst of everything-commercial fashion industry.

Here is also what Dazed Digital has previously covered, just in case you are interested to see: http://www.dazeddigital.com/fashion/article/15478/1/maison-martin-margiela-clinical-precision

Have a good day!
Gabby

Anonymous said...

Your one lucky lady !!! Love the pictures !!! Thank you so much for sharing this experience!!!
-Justino

SABINNA and DAVID said...

wow, beautiful! could be your apartment, all so nice and white! :D the sofa is my favourite!

xx, Sabinna and David
Broken Cookies

Dominique @ Wonterior said...

So gorgeous! I love love love this minimal style! And your Chandelier! Great work!

Maison Martin Margiela said...

so wonderful! I love Maison Martin Margiela! :)

Fanny Munoz said...

Beautiful, I would love to visit this HQ !

Vreeni said...

wow - amazing. your blog. your ideas. and white. white is really amazing and can transfer every feeling you need ;)

have fun.
groetjes
vreeni

www.freakinyou.blogspot.de

e said...

i agree with you ladies--but high fashion, designers and haute couture have always been about catering to the wealthy. fashion for the masses is a relatively new concept.

tap portugal contact said...

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