For the new Maison Margiela Spring/Summer 2021 co-ed collection, the creative director John Galliano takes inspiration from the art of tango, after seeing the tango being danced in a dilapidated Buenos Aires warehouse. Then by observing the movements of the famous ballroom dance, thanks to the help of a tango teacher, and the performances of the models, he starts to shape the clothes.
For the second and last chapter of S.W.A.L.K. directed by Nick Knight, Galliano shares the process behind the Spring/Summer 2021 collection, that involved Olivier Rizzo, Pat McGrath, Leon Dame and all his collaborators. Everythings emphasize the movement: the suit jackets are deconstructed and cut, wet-looking tulle dresses, bias-cut silk skirts and the knitwear is juxtaposed with lighter fabrics which gives a patchwork effect. To the collection is applied one of the brand’s main principles, the concept of Replica, that became ReCicla with Fall Winter 2021, which renewed and reinterpreted different wardrobe’s staples. Recycled elements from a t-shirt, button-up and vest combined into a single piece, but also bags and the iconic Tabi shoes in the mary-jane and sandals version.
The film also narrates the process and the inspiration behind the new Linea 3 Fragrances Collection. None of this could ever have been laid out in a runway show. To express the multilayered vision of Galliano, which captures the drama and the depth of the collaborative work at Maison Margiela, it needed something more and Nick Knight was able to express his philosophy at best.
