Last week in Paris, the Maison Margiela 2024 Artisanal Collection debuted under Pont Alexandre III, under the light of a full moon. Creative Director John Galliano invited us on “A walk through the underbelly of Paris, offline.” The evening began with a performance by Lucky Love. Models turned night-time revelers wandered along the Seine and into a ghostly Paris nightclub. Silhouettes emerged against a misty background inspired by the photographs of Brassaï. Hourglass shapes were created with body-sculpting garments, resulting in coquettish creatures of the night. Haute couture techniques were perfected and cinematic, with effects of milletrage, trompe l’oeil, and aquarelle. Beauty was mixed with decay and degeneration, making for a show experience that only Galliano could dream up.