Parker&Kent

After graduating Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp in 1977, he spent his time in Jean Paul Gaultier to gain experience. In 1988, Maison Martin Margiela was founded and in the same year, the first collection was announced. In 1997, “The collection for women” (1) was added to the line of products. In 1998, the first ladie’s prêt-a-poreter from Hermes, designed by Martin Margiela was announced. Simultaneously, “A wardrobe for men” (14) was added as well. Since his debut in the fashion world, he has always questioned about fashion in general, and aimed to betray our common sense, stereotypes, idealism, and anything else that are possible to betray. His experimental approach such as unfinished and sliced garments, reconstruction of old clothes, propagating bacteria on a shirt…things that people find abnormal or oversees in daily lives, that is where he goes to and recognizes the true value of each items. That is not only a brave challenge, but also an invite for us to have a free and a flexible mind.

1977年アントワープロイヤルアカデミー卒業。その後、ジャンポール・ゴルチェにて経験を積む。1988年メゾンマルタンマルジェラを設立し、初のコレクションを発表する。1997年「女性のためのベーシックな服のコレクション」（⑥）が加わる。1998年マルタンマルジェラによる初のエルメスのレディースプレタポルテを発表。同年、「男性のためのワードローブ」（⑩）が加わる。登場以来ファッションそのものに問題を提議し続けるマルジェラは、これまでの常識、先入観、概念、といったありとあらゆるものを覆す。切りっ放しの未完成の服。古着の再構築、服の上に細菌を繁殖させた実験・・・。多くの人が気付かずに見過す事、おかしいと解釈する事、これらの本質に触れ価値を見出す。それは果敢な挑戦であるだけでなく人々に自由でフレキシブルな世界観を投げかけるのである。