“Sheds long-awaited light on the inner-workings of this enigmatic organisation, through interviews and archival material, from its creative processes to its unusual philosophy. “ – Maise Skidmore, Another Magazine
“Raising questions of originality, authorship, and authenticity, We Margiela is a brilliant, intimate look at one of fashion’s most fabled houses.” – Emma Hope Allwood, Dazed
“Made up of intimate interviews of the original members of Margiela’s team, with voiceover from his trusted business partner/alter ego, Jenny Meirens, the documentary offers a deep understanding...of the people behind the man.” – Jackie Mallon, Fashion United UK
The signature white label sewn with four visible stitches on the garments’ back, the use of ‘we’ rather than ‘I’, the white blouses, the chaotic catwalk shows in surprising venues, the birth of creative ideas: all the elements which made Maison Martin Margiela a unique, ground-breaking label are laid bare for the audience, and are revealed as the instinctive output of a cohesive team of passionate men and women, for whose lives this period will remain fundamental. We Margiela tells the untold and intimate story of the enigmatic and singular fashion house Maison Martin Margiela. For the first time co-founder Jenny Meirens and members of the creative team that formed the heart of the house speak about the creative processes and unique philosophy of Margiela. Their stories, told through detailed and intimate interviews, give unprecedented insight into the genesis of one of the most influential fashion houses of our time. The unique innovations of the house, such as anonymity, re-usage, ‘we’ versus ‘I,’ and replica versus copy, turn out to be central concepts of our time. As the history of the house is told in parallel to the creative development and financial growth of Maison Martin Margiela, the film unravels notions of creativity, authorship, and financial return in this neoliberal period. From director Menna Laura Meijer: “I always wanted to make a film about people who disappeared and who started a whole new life at age 50 and we wouldn’t know who they are because they’ve started a completely new life. Of course people who disappear can never be interviewed. So we refocused on the House of Martin Margiela. What really interested me alot was the way they worked together, the way they branded the house. Looking at the House of Margiela is really looking at how we all work as creative people. Now, independence is priceless.”
