On April 1st, 2026, Maison Margiela FW26 took over Shanghai Fashion Week, marking the brand’s first runway show outside of Paris since its establishment in 1988. This signals a decisive shift as the brand strengthens its relationship with the Chinese market by launching an ambitious multi-city cultural programme.
Held in Shanghai, the FW26 show was an immersive spectacle in which creative director Glenn Martens reimagined the house’s codes by fusing Artisanal couture and ready-to-wear. Set within a striking maze of industrial shipping containers, the scenography invited guests to physically navigate the space, blurring the line between audience and performance.
At its core, the collection revisited Maison Margiela’s signature exploration of anonymity. Models walked along a concrete runway with their faces concealed by masks and veils, making each step seem like a tense, almost ritualistic act. This interplay between concealment and expression was evident in the clothing, ranging from wax-coated, sculptural gowns to deconstructed tailoring and experimental fabrics.
Martens balanced conceptual precision with tactile craftsmanship. The menswear collection featured sharply tailored suits and reversible leather pieces, while the womenswear collection moved from sheer mohair to painted lace silhouettes. The contrast between raw materials and refined techniques reinforced the house’s distinctive identity.
With Maison Margiela FW26, the house steps beyond its Parisian roots, embracing a broader, more international stage—one in which innovation, narrative and cultural dialogue converge.
Courtesy FF CHANNEL
