An homage to an icon. In 1997, when the elusive Belgian designer Martin Margiela was approached by the late Jean-Louis Dumas to helm the French luxury house Hermès, the appointment was met with surprise. Here was a craftsman with an avant-garde aesthetic, rebelliously deconstructed, taking the helm at the famed Parisian brand at a time when it was largely associated with bright silks and leather accessories. Margiela’s offerings quelled any doubt; his comprehensive understanding of tailoring, fabric and his ability to straddle feminine/masculine design propelled Hermès into a new and exciting era of elegant and edgy craftsmanship for the house.

ModeMuseum’s exhibition, Margiela – The Hermès Years, will display Margiela’s collections from 1997 to 2003 for the first time - exploring the relationship between Hermès and Margiela’s eponymous label through photography and the most iconic of garments. The exhibition will run from March 31 – August 27.