Ensemble

Artisanal|Maison Margiela|John Galliano

spring/summer 2015 · wool, silk, cotton, leather, synthetic · Costume Institute

In this Maison Margiela ensemble, John Galliano reinterprets the eccentric dress of dandified young men in post- revolutionary France. Known as the Incroyables (Incredibles), they embraced a form of antifashion defined by exaggerated proportions and an affected carelessness. This historical influence is evident in the high collar, oversized lapels, and exaggerated coattails, which have been transformed into trailing lengths of silk chiffon. Galliano has created the extraordinary effect of firm, brushed wool seamlessly transitioning into sheer silk chiffon, as though the wool is unraveling into an insubstantial, ethereal form. The illusion is achieved by needle felting the two textiles together, a process that permanently entwines their fibers—a meticulous couture technique used to create the impression of a deconstructed garment.

Artist

Artisanal|Maison Margiela|John Galliano

Date

spring/summer 2015

Medium

wool, silk, cotton, leather, synthetic

Culture

French

Department

Costume Institute

Credit line

Purchase, Friends of The Costume Institute Gifts, 2015