Margiela Carries the Olympic Torch

Inside-out detail and lengthened garments, which have been staples of the brand, were not abandoned in this season’s collections. Sport-friendly materials like cotton, jersey, flannel, and bonded leather took the forefront. Complex, interesting prints and splashes of color — like a gorgeous deep red, belted cape jacket – added a sense of depth and opulence to the otherwise starkly athletic collection. One particularly creative “trompe l’oeil print” even deceptively resembled a gray fox fur and a medallion print dress, that took inspiration from Greco-Roman tiling, bore the labels signifying number “6” with the year 2013 on its front. Paired with nude tights and rubber soled athletic boots it was difficult not to see the Olympic parallels.