From Subdued to Overstimulated: Glenn Martens Makes His RTW Debut at Margiela

To the sound of a 61-piece youngsters’s orchestra (everything of which was wearing dramatically outsized Maison Margiela tuxedos) enjoying completely imperfect renditions of Symphony No. 40 and Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata, Glenn Martens debuted his first co-ed ready-to-wear assortment for the Belgian trend home throughout Paris Fashion Week. The presentation arrived simply three months after the previous Diesel inventive director showcased his inaugural Artisanal (in any other case referred to as high fashion) assortment for Margiela again in July. That assortment wasn’t for the faint of coronary heart, although at a model like this one, it was by no means supposed to be instantly digestible. It was the sort of couture providing that makes you assume, sending chills down your backbone when you do.

For spring/summer time 2026, although, Martens took a less complicated method, persevering with some themes from his couture debut, however executing them in a way more pared-back and even sensible trend (see Margiela-ized fundamentals, like trench coats, slip attire, and leather-based jackets). He began the present with wearable silhouettes manufactured from denim and leather-based—all of which had been accented with four-stitch mouthpieces resembling the model’s signature non-logo—earlier than finally main showgoers towards some extra experimental designs. Classic Margiela staples made their return, together with the Margiela Futures, a high-top sneaker that obtained a contemporary replace for 2026, in addition to the Tabi Claw, which was first seen within the Artisanal 2025 assortment, however has now made its RTW debut with a futuristic plexiglass wedge heel (worn by Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner at the present). A brand new model of the Box Bag can also be coming quickly, with a softer, slouchier look that is certain to turn into a staple come spring.