It was October 1997 when Martin Margiela was named to be the artistic director for the women’s ready-to-wear collections of the Parisian house Hermès. But as the founder of Maison Martin Margiela, he already marked his name as one of the most influential avant-garde designers in the fashion industry. The expectations were high, but that was no problem for the Belgian designer. His work had -and still has- big influences on how we look at the system behind fashion and our own perspectives on craftsmanship, innovation, commerce and authorship. Margiela made 12 collections during his time at Hermés that revolved around comfort, tactility and timelessness. But it was his choice in colours and prints that surprised us and made his collections unique. The exhibition is about two worlds: groundbreaking deconstruction and timeless luxury.

Plan your trip to Antwerp and behold Margiela, the Hermès years for yourself.