Okay, so check it, been messing around with this whole “margiela creative director” thing for a minute now, and I thought I’d lay out how I tackled it. No fancy jargon, just straight-up what I did.
First things first: The deep dive. I started by just drowning myself in all things Margiela. I’m talking collections, interviews, documentaries, even forum threads where people were arguing about the “real” Margiela vibe. The goal was to absorb the essence, not just copy looks. You gotta feel it, ya know?
Next up: Deconstruction. Margiela’s all about taking things apart, right? So, I grabbed a bunch of old clothes from the thrift store – jeans, a blazer, a t-shirt that looked like it had seen better days. Then, I literally started cutting them up. I ripped seams, turned things inside out, and just generally went to town. The point wasn’t to make anything wearable (yet), but to understand how garments are put together and how you can mess with those constructions.
The “Accidental” Experiment. One time, I was messing around with an old denim jacket, and I accidentally ripped the sleeve completely off. Instead of tossing it, I stitched it back on, but like, inside out and at a weird angle. It looked…kinda cool. That’s when I realized that the “mistakes” are often the most interesting parts. It’s all about embracing the unexpected.
Finding the Core. This was tough. Margiela isn’t just about weird shapes, it’s about an idea. For me, it was the idea of anonymity and subverting expectations. So, I started sketching designs that played with those concepts. I designed coats with hidden faces, dresses that looked like they were falling apart, and shoes made from unexpected materials like packing tape and rubber bands. Seriously.
The Mock Collection. I didn’t have a huge budget or anything, so I couldn’t actually make a full collection. Instead, I created a series of mood boards, sketches, and a few key pieces that I actually sewed together. I focused on texture, proportion, and how the garments moved on the body. I even staged a little photoshoot with my friends to get a feel for how it would all look together.
Iterating and Refining. After the photoshoot, I realized some things weren’t working. A skirt was too short, a jacket was too boxy. I went back and tweaked things, always keeping the core idea of anonymity and subversion in mind. It was a constant process of trial and error.
Showcasing the Work. Finally, I put everything together in a portfolio. I included the mood boards, sketches, photos of the key pieces, and a short statement about my concept. I showed it to a few people I knew in the industry, and the feedback was surprisingly positive. Some people didn’t get it, but others were genuinely intrigued.
What I Learned. This whole thing was a trip. I learned a ton about garment construction, design principles, and the importance of having a strong vision. But most importantly, I learned that fashion is about more than just clothes – it’s about storytelling and challenging the status quo.
So, yeah, that’s pretty much my margiela creative director journey in a nutshell. It was messy, frustrating, and occasionally ridiculous, but it was also incredibly rewarding. And who knows, maybe one day I’ll actually design a real collection. Until then, I’ll keep experimenting and pushing boundaries.
