Maison Margiela Paris Navy Maxi Dress, Size 36
About the Item
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Length: 46 in (116.84 cm)Marked Size: 36 (EU)Bust: 70 in (177.8 cm)Waist: 70 in (177.8 cm)Hip: 70 in (177.8 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Beverly Hills, CA
- Reference Number:
Maison Martin Margiela
Belgian designer Martin Margiela (b. 1957) — whose life, career, clothing designs and vintage shoes have become cult-collector obsessions — pushed those who attended his shows outside their comfort zones. In the years following his maison's 1988 debut, he toyed with creative and aesthetic paradoxes that persist in fashion today.
Consider the Spring/Summer 2001 shirt patchworked from vintage clothing labels, or his famous corset dresses made from tailoring dummies, from his Fall/Winter 1997 line. Or his oversize collection for Fall/Winter 2000. In 1992, Margiela told Dépêche Mode magazine, “My clothes appeal to women of a certain mindset rather than of a specific age or physique.”
Born in Genk, Belgium, in 1957, Margiela knew he wanted to be a fashion designer after catching glimpses of Parisian fashion on TV as a child. Although his parents discouraged this career choice as an oddly funny aspiration, Margiela enrolled in the fashion program of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp. There, he befriended and graduated a year ahead of the Antwerp Six — the acclaimed group of Belgian fashion designers comprising Dries Van Noten, Walter Van Beirendonck, Ann Demeulemeester, Marina Yee, Dirk Bikkembergs and Dirk Van Saene.
Like many of his contemporaries in the 1980s, Margiela understood Paris fashion but felt a deep resonance with the deconstructed beauty espoused by Japanese designers Yohji Yamamoto and Rei Kawakubo, of Comme des Garçons. Margiela’s fascination with Japan influenced many of his earliest collections and designs, from a dress pieced together from broken plates to his iconic Tabi boots, inspired by the split-toe Japanese worker’s shoe, which dates back to the 15th century. He decided to launch his own line while working for renowned Paris designer Jean Paul Gaultier.
Margiela, Gaultier has often stated, was his best assistant. Even then, the 2019 film Martin Margiela: In His Own Words suggests, he was acutely aware of the widening gulf between the art and the business of fashion.
Margiela’s debut show was nothing short of spectacular. Set in a packed Café de la Gare in the still-seedy Marais district, it was also scandalous to the Parisian fashion set of the time. The designer tore up the conventions of contemporary couture presentations, most notably having his models, plucked from the streets and wearing ink-blotted Tabis, wend their way through the crowd. The show redefined the concept of the runway in a way that would later inspire such designers as Alexander McQueen and Demna Gvasalia.
While the notoriously private designer retired from fashion in 2009, for many Maison Martin Margiela collectors, his pieces capture the irreverence of the postwar, post-punk late 1980s and ’90s. Katy Rodriguez, cofounder of the cult vintage fashion shop Resurrection, is among those who felt a connection to Margiela’s clothing in the subliminal challenges it posed to the time’s beauty norms.
“Growing up in San Francisco and coming out of the end of punk rock, not wanting to be objectified, not wanting to be seen as a sexual object, not wanting your value to be just because you’re pretty — all those clothes played into all of that,” she says. “It really was a reflection of the kind of world the young people I knew at the time wanted to live in.”
Find vintage Maison Martin Margiela boots, evening dresses, jackets and more on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Beverly Hills, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Oscar De La Renta Black, White, Brown Mini DressBy Oscar De La RentaLocated in Beverly Hills, CA- Tweed finish - Front dual pockets detail - Mini length, above the knee - Crew neckline - Sleeveless style - Concealed rear zip closureCategory
Late 20th Century Day Dresses
- Proenza Schouler Black and Multicolored Wrap Round Mini Dress, Size 6By Proenza SchoulerLocated in Beverly Hills, CAProduct details: The dress is made out of 100% silk, it features geometric and abstract print pattern, v- neck line, long sleeves, mini length.Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Day Dresses
- Valentino White Mini Dress, Size 8By ValentinoLocated in Beverly Hills, CA- Sleeveless - Crew neckline - Lace top and tweed bottom detail - Side pocketsCategory
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Day Dresses
- Vintage Carven Black Mid Lenght Long Sleeve Dress Size 38By CarvenLocated in Beverly Hills, CAProduct details: Size 38 Featuring 100% polyester fabric, long sleeves with slit, mid length, shorter on the front, longer on the back, rear zip closure. Made in Turkey.Category
Late 20th Century Turkish Formal Wear
- MSGM Black Mini Dress, Size 42Located in Beverly Hills, CA- Long balloon sleeves - Deep V neckline - Mini length - Belted design detail - Rear concealed zip closureCategory
2010s Italian Day Dresses
- Karl Lagerfeld Purple Mini Dress, Size 40By Karl LagerfeldLocated in Beverly Hills, CAProduct details: The dress is designed by Karl Lagerfeld, it features collar, front button design, long sleeves and mini length, zipper on the sleeves and rear zip and button closure.Category
Late 20th Century French Day Dresses
- Sexy Little Purple and Pink Animal Sequin Pattern Cocktail Dress Size MedLocated in Palm Springs, CANo label on this Fashionista owned dress. Never worn. It's a statement little dress for party, dinner or cocktails. Short cap sleeve, It's the back that sizzles. A deep u back. Sligh...Category
2010s American Cocktail Dresses
- Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquiere Heather Grey Size 40 / 10 Sweatshirt Mini DressBy Nicolas Ghesquière, BalenciagaLocated in San Diego, CAAvant Garde BALENCIAGA by NICOLAS GHESQUIERE mid 2000s heather gray slouchy sweatshirt mini dress ! Simply slips over the head, and stretches to fit. V-neck bodice. Soft cotton blend...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Diane Freis 1980s Novelty Heart Paisley Psychedelic Print Vintage 80s DressBy Diane FreisLocated in San Diego, CAAmazing 1980s DIANE FREIS novelty heart paisley psychedelic print dress ! Black tassel ties at center don’t neck. Simply slips over the head and st...Category
1980s Cocktail Dresses
- Louis Vuitton Silver Metallic Detail Floral Red Metallic Keyholes Dress SBy Louis VuittonLocated in Miami, FLLouis Vuitton stretch dress in black and grey with abstract floral print accented with silver metallic throughout. 2 Round keyholes in front trimmed in red metallic. Form fitting and...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sheath Dresses
- Jacques Heim psychedelic print silk cocktail dress. circa 1960sBy Jacques HeimLocated in London, GBJacques Heim is inextricably linked with the history of French fashion. In the years 1958-1962 he was the president of the highly influential Paris Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Cout...Category
1960s French Cocktail Dresses
- Marc Jacobs for Bergdorf Goodman 1920s Flapper Style Gray 20s Rayon Shirt DressBy Marc JacobsLocated in San Diego, CAMARC JACOBS for BERGDORF GOODMAN early 2000s 1920s flapper style grey shirt dress ! Features a pleated bodice with a drop waist. Butto...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
Martin Margiela: An Intimate Look at the Designer and His Surreal Fashions
In a recently released film, the elusive Belgian designer reflects on his time in the fashion world and his avant-garde creations, which have become coveted collector items.
With Gems by Bulgari, Cartier and Others, Nadine Krakov Keeps Her L.A. Clients Sparkling
Exceptional jewels, thoughtfully designed and meticulously handmade, are the specialty of the house.