couture fall 2013

Elegant Kitsch on Display at Maison Margiela Couture

Photo: Imaxtree

The secondhand vintage on display at Maison Martin Margiela couture show was as elegant as it was playfully weird. As usual, the elusive Belgian designer collective kept his models’ identity under wraps with face-masks; this time, they were beaded, sequined, and adorned with fabric flowers. Those brilliantly exaggerated masks, paired with a collection made from reworked vintage fabrics and appliques, continued to demonstrate the house’s expertise when it comes to tailoring. As noted by WWD, they might have presented the greenest collection this week by recycling decades-old clothing.

Rare finds, like pastel fifties-era prom dresses, were reworked into cheerful, sheer voluminous coats; a costume worn by a thirties-era Beijing Opera star was turned into a sumptuous floor-length smoking jacket. To switch it up even more, Margiela also threw in high-concept casual looks including low-slung jeans and modern latex trench coats, T-shirts, and pants that actually looked wearable. Click through our slideshow for all the floral and bedazzled masks you can handle.

Elegant Kitsch at Maison Margiela Couture