Margiela '20' exhibition at Somerset House

Somerset House is to host Maison Martin Margiela ’20’ The Exhibition; a major exhibition celebrating 20 years of one of contemporary fashion’s most influential and enigmatic designers. The exhibition was conceived in close collaboration with Maison Martin Margiela and curated by the Mode Museum, Antwerp. The show has been specifically reconfigured for the Embankment Galleries, following critical acclaim at the Momu, Antwerp and Haus der Kunst (Munich) exhibitions last year.

The '20' exhibition explores Margiela's artistic and conceptual approach to fashion and continues Somerset House’s commitment to showcasing the world’s most celebrated creative talents across fashion, art and design.

A graduate of Antwerp's Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Martin Margiela formerly worked as design assistant to Jean Paul Gaultier before showing his first collection under his own label in 1988. Employing a ‘deconstructivist’ approach - monochromatic palette, outsized garments, non-traditional fabrics, the use of recycled materials and exposing the construction of his clothes - Margiela displayed a radically new visual language that diametrically opposed the power dressing of the 1980s. In deciding to let his fashion speak for itself and remain anonymous, Margiela as a brand is driven by product and sheer invention rather than fad, hype and celebrity often linked to other fashion labels.

Somerset House Director, Gwyn Miles says “we are delighted to be bringing Maison Martin Margiela’s major retrospective to Somerset House. This forms part of our aim to host an exciting year round programme of contemporary cultural exhibitions and events that reflects current trends in the creative industries, particularly in fashion and design. I hope this exhibition stimulates debate and ideas, and will go some way in establishing Somerset House as a genuine creative hub for London”.

In 2002 Diesel owner Renzo Rosso acquired the majority stake in Margiela parent owner Neuf SAS. Martin Margiela himself left the company several years ago.

The exhibition runs from 3rd June - 5th September at Somerset house. For further information go to www.somersethouse.org.uk

Image: Margiela London Exhibition