My initial object for analysis began with Maison Martin Margiela's Tabi Boots.
I had always been fascinated by the aesthetics of the split-toe shape and different types of people that wore them.
Visiting The Maison Martin Margiela '20' Exhibition in September 2010 at Somerset House, I learnt more about the cultural and social meaning behind the shoes, which were originally based on Jika-Tabi boots, made for Japanese field and farm workers in the 20th century.
The use of history in contemporary design is key, and Margiela uses oriental styles in his work which have become increasingly popular in western culture.
I want to continue exploring 'oriental/asian' designers such as those in the Future Beauty: 30 Years of Japanese Fashion exhibition at The Barbican who use their own cultural history in their work.
The contrast between making it big in the west and their own heritage interests me,
such as the fact that Issey Miyake was born in Hiroshima, and lost family members to the american atomic bomb.
I am also interested in Margiela's reaction to the modern system of fashion media.
In a new age of the celebrity designer, where designers are idolised and personified he rejected media interest in himself, never giving face to face interviews.
As he once stated (taken from The Great Fashion Designers by Brenda Polan and Roger Tredre Chapter 46 Martin Margiela p.229-232)
"The withdrawal of a designer's profile creates a space that the garments may fill."
