Maison Martin Margiela Matthieu Blazy

It was the fashion industry’s biggest secret until British Vogue’s Suzy Menkes dished all, revealing the identity of Maison Martin Margiela’s head designer – MatthieuBlazy.

It’s not sure whether the revelation was intended to fully out Matthieu Blazy, or whether it was merely a fashion fan getting too excited, but Menkes name checked the 30 year old in her review of the label’s recent couture show in Paris.

She said: “It is rare in fashion to have [an] ‘a star is born’ moment, but, as Raf Simons, the young designer’s former boss, hugged his protégé backstage, it was clear that Blazy’s moment had come… It is understandable that Renzo Rosso, whose company Only the Brave is behind Margiela, should want to keep Blazy backstage — especially since the founding designer so rarely showed his face. But, you can’t keep such a talent under wraps.”

The French fashion house, which has famously remained faceless since it’s eponymous Belgian founder left in 2009, was not impressed with the revelation. Preferring the Maison Martin Margiela design team to be viewed as a collective rather than focus on individuals or one key player, they made the following statement: “In light of recent rumours regarding individual members of our design team, we ask you to remember that the long-standing communication policy of the Maison has not changed and that Maison Martin Margiela does not communicate on any individual member of its collective, as our work is done by a team and is credited only to this same collective. This is our official spokespeople policy, and it remains our only comment on this subject.”

Maison Martin Margiela is a favourite among celebrities including Marion Cotillard, Kanye West, Kim Kardashian and Sarah Jessica Parker. In fact SJP was pictured at a party with Blazy back in 2012 and Kim wore a plunging Maison Martin Margiela gown to her pre-wedding dinner. Her rapper husband – who introduced her to the brand back in 2008 when he gifted her some boots – also wore a bejeweled mask by the brand during  his recent performance at London’s Wireless festival.

While the company may be annoyed that their secret is out, as the saying goes: “No publicity is bad publicity.” We’re sure Maison Martin Margiela will reap the rewards.

 

Image: Instagram ( Matthieu Blazy with Raf Simmons)