On July 9 in Paris, personal items and prototypes belonging to the famous fashion designer will go up for auction.
“After many years of moving archival material from place to place and subsequent loans for exhibitions, I felt it was time to let go of a part of my fashion memorabilia. The ensemble spans the period from 1984 to 2008 and consists of photos, drawings, and objects. Some were made in a later period during the pandemic. After a long questioning, it was the idea of making several collectors and institutions happy that made me finally decide to send them into the world,” said Martin Margiela.
Nearly 200 garments trace Martin Margiela's entire career, from his beginnings in Antwerp in 1984 to his retirement from fashion in 2008
Organized in Paris by Maurice Auction, in collaboration with Kerry Taylor Auctions, this historic sale will present more than 200 lots retracing his career, from his designs for the Canette d’Or in Antwerp in 1984 through to 2008 when he decided to quit Maison Martin Margiela for personal projects.
A First in Fashion History
This sale marks an unprecedented moment: This is the first time a living creator has directly collaborated with an auction house to offer their personal archive of clothing and designs. “Martin Margiela is a creative genius, and his archives reveal the breadth of his reflection, not only on clothing but more broadly on human beings. His archives also show how deeply Martin Margiela has inspired young designers; his work is timeless. This is not simply a fashion sale; it goes far beyond clothing,” said Salomé Pirson, auctioneer of the sale.
The Hermès Wardrobe of Martin Margiela’s Mother, Léa Bouchet
“Also presented is the Hermès wardrobe of my late mother, which became difficult to keep in perfect shape. These creations, all of my 1997-2003 tenure at the eponymous house, despite their highest quality of craftsmanship and materials, need particular care,” commented Martin Margiela.
The sale will bring together around sixty outfits, bags, fashion accessories, and shoes from the wardrobe of Léa Bouchet, the mother of Martin Margiela. Very close to his mother, who had supported him from a young age in his desire to become a designer, Martin Margiela offered her several Hermès pieces during those years of collaboration. Their presence in the sale brings an intimate dimension to this historic ensemble. These pieces reflect the period during which Martin Margiela collaborated with Hermès, where he was able to work with exceptional artisans, remarkable textiles, and leathers.
An Exhibition Conceived as an Unwrapping
The exhibition, curated by long-time friend Bob Verhelst, will take place in a venue evoking a small manufacturing plant from the beginning of the 20th century. Its scenography will allow visitors to experience the unwrapping of the objects in a deliberately direct and sensitive approach. Most of the objects presented have never been shown before. This staging will offer a rare experience: an almost immediate encounter with the archives, their materiality, their fragility, and their evocative power.
“This auction offers unprecedented access to the personal archive of a designer whose reputation is as enigmatic as it is profound. Martin’s innovative designs and runway presentations changed the fashion landscape forever, and his willingness to still engage with fashion buyers in unique ways demonstrates the genius of a man whose creative mind remains as incisive and powerful as ever,” concluded Alex Baddeley, Fashion Specialist and Auctioneer, Kerry Taylor Auctions.
Auction / Vente aux enchères
July 9, 2026, at 2:00 pm
Exhibition / Exposition
July 4 - 8, 2026 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
71 Rue de la Fontaine au Roi, Paris 11th arrondissement
Photo: Maison Martin Margiela — Musée Galliera, 1991 La Mode Selon Ses Créateurs Pair of “graffiti” Tabi boots. Unique example, one of three. This pair was unexpectedly tagged by the public during the exhibition organised by the Musée Galliera in 1991. Estimate: €30,000–50,000
