Maison Martin Margiela Haute Couture A/W11

To some, haute couture might be synonymous to mink and gold thread. To Maison Martin Margiela, luxury can also mean seatbelts and gaffa tape. In a private reception yesterday morning, the Belgian house presented its 'Artisanal line' – one that brought couture and recycling together. There, scraps of fleece blankets became bouffant skirts with trails ; organza suits were held together by pieces of tapes and belted with a piece of string.

Seatbelts that could have previously belonged of an old Peugeot became sexy braces, Night Porter style. Sport socks were also a source of cheeky appropriation : either transformed into shoes with a wedge stuck at heel of the foot, or turned into one giant sock top. Artisan work according to Margiela is miles away from Arts&Crafts – forgets pots and vases, this is about applying couture know-how onto far-fetched objects. And branding it with the four stitches of course.