Demystifying Margiela

A fashion outsider like me would never have dreamt about possessing something from an evasive label that is physically unavailable in places like Kuala Lumpur. In a city where 'glamour' and 'excess' is celebrated over conceptual and low-key designs it is quite an obstacle to find fashion innovativeness in KL. True, we have a slew of promising new-generation local designers who are a breath of fresh air to the industry like Silas Liew, Jonathan Liang and Joe Chia (would love to blog about them in the future) but unconventionality is still far from penetrating the minds of the public; and clearly the progress is painstakingly sluggish.



If budget is a concern, you could easily find a designer's ripoff at places like Sungei Wang Plaza - a maze of made-in-China Korean fashion, random paraphernalia and alteration haven. I have seen Jil Sander's two-tone jacket from S/S 2010, for example, and not to mention various imitation versions of Rick Owens and Prada from multiple seasons for the ladies (e.g. the flatform brogues and banana print tee from S/S 2011) there.

But to attempt achieving a 'general idea' of ground-breaking design that even today's fashion designers make a template for inspiration, one should seek the most original source one could get hold of. Thanks to the recent Maison Martin Margiela for H&M collaboration I finally have my grubby mitts on some of the elusive designer's iconic runway pieces: the faded baggy jeans and the lining shirt.



The lining top is unassumingly special considering the fact that it looks so understated in a first glance. However on further inspection the tailoring is pretty immaculate, with 'twisted' stitching making them more fitted on the end of the sleeves. Turning the top inside out reveals a contrasting white cotton panel which can possibly be a daring step to multiply the simple top looks. The side zipper augments the tailored feel and here (despite showing a bit of skin) I demonstrate the versatility of the garment...

Worn with ASOS shorts, Muji sandals

Worn with Levi's thrifted denim jacket from Baden Baden Bundle, Topshop harem pants, Maison Martin Margiela shoes

The oversized jeans from AW2000/2001 on the other hand provides a stark difference from the fitted look of the lining top. The baggy, almost-shapeless silhouette perhaps is a love-it-or-hate-it element for this garment. This is definitely a new addition to my collection of loose-fitting trousers, and possibly one step towards achieving that "Yohji" look... 

Worn with Uniqlo striped tee, Puma running shoes

 Worn with Topman t-shirt, Maison Martin Margiela shoes

 Worn with thrifted Atmosphere linen blazer, Topman shirt, Clarks shoes

Worn with Uniqlo cotton blazer, Cheap Monday t-shirt, Crocs (yes), sandals

For now I'm contented with the fact of owning legendary fashion articles like these (albeit them being nothing more than just 're-editions'), and more importantly for an ever so cash-strapped person I'm patting myself on the back by managing not to break the bank with these hauls...