Deconstruction in fashion is a design approach that dismantles garment structures and reassembles them to create something new—highlighting raw edges, unfinished hems, and unusual silhouettes. Maison Margiela and Comme des Garçons have mastered the art of deconstruction by seamlessly weaving it into their brand identities.
Founded by Martin Margiela in 1988, Maison Margiela is known for repurposing garments and using unorthodox tailoring techniques. Margiela incorporates visible seams, inside-out garments, and asymmetrical cuts to disrupt the pursuit for perfection.
Margiela “revels in subverting fashion norms,” using deconstruction as a tool to question this obsession with perfection. The brand’s Tabi boots, with their iconic split-toe, serve as an example of how Margiela even takes the technique a step further to create a statement.
Comme des Garçons, led by Rei Kawakubo, is perhaps the most iconic brand associated with deconstruction. Kawakubo’s designs are characterized by experimental shapes and use of materials. We’ve seen this time and time again in Comme des Garçons’ collections. Holes, asymmetrical designs, and exaggerated proportions walking down the runway, reflecting Kawakubo’s belief that…
