Deconstruction in Fashion as a Path Toward New Beauty Standards: The Maison Margiela Case

Abstract

As an approach for redefining relations between text and its meaning, the idea of deconstruction appeared in the works of philosopher Jacques Derrida. This philosophical concept received the reflection in the modern architecture: it provokes a denial of stereotypes about the building’s forms and functions, a conflict of the architectural elements’ dislocation. Some fashion designers use a deconstruction method to destroy fashion standards and fashion stereotypes. Particularly, Belgian designer Martin Margiela questions the traditional understanding of fashion and fashion beauty and rethinks the relations between fashion forms, functions, and ideology constructed by clothing.
This paper provides an analysis of the deconstructionist fashion techniques in the case of Maison Margiela fashion house. By performing the conflicting nature of fashion garments, Margiela constructs the concept of universal, basic clothes but, at the same time, very anonymous, free of labels, tags, and social judgments. This fashion of deconstruction articulates today the next level of relationship between consumers and fashion garments that is not only about standardized functions but expanded values and interpretations.