It is temporary, only for the duration of the Salone Internazionale del Mobile 2009. Maison Martin Margiela introduces its concepts of interior architecture through an installation. It is a recreation of the environment and workspace of their Parisian workshop. Highly detailed and theatrically produced it provides an insight into the inspirations that drive the fashion house and how it’s philosophy transfers to interior products.

It isn’t permanent by any means, but it aims to replicate something that is; something solid and grounded. The walls were plastered in trompe l’oeil, full-length images of the walls in their Parisian workshop. Flat and without dimension or texture. The furniture was real, real enough to sit and observe the surroundings. I was mesmerised by the flow of images on the screensaver of the computer screens, scrolling images of their workshop space in Paris. Post it notes, glue sticks and note pads, all strategically placed items typical of an office.

There was another small space through a door in the main room that belonged to the interior design manager, Eduardo Dente. His office was set up as it is in Paris, and it was fully functioning with the intention of performing a normal week of work. He had all the typical desktop implements, tape dispenser, calculator, laptop, lamp, water bottle, but it was all beautifully sheathed in white cotton especially for the occasion. It created an ethereal, ghostly space separating it from reality and sending it into the realms of imagination and transient existence.

I enjoyed this fine line between realism and replication, like a theatre set designed to tell a story, picking up on elements of a play and representing them visually and structurally. I imagine it is the same process only reading the brand and philosophy of Maison Martin Margiela as the written play to be put into production. All the elements combining to communicate and encapsulate exactly what the fashion house is about, it’s basis and its future direction.

163 rue Saint Maur
75011 Paris, France
Via Savona,
60 - 20144 Milano

Words & Images : Edward Vince 

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