For its venture into residential living, fashion house Maison Margiela has carefully selected a debut location: Dubai. Comprising a collection of 25 bespoke units, the upcoming Maison Margiela Residences will be in the exclusive Palm Jumeirah, offering panoramic views of the sea from every corner and easy access to the best dining and shopping spots in the city.
Although fashion has been at the core of everything that Maison Margiela has done since its inception, the brand is no stranger to architecture, interiors and furniture. The house has treated these disciplines as fields of exploration, pushing creative boundaries and creating rich connections for innovation. As Gaetano Sciuto, CEO of Maison Margiela, explains to Vogue Arabia, “Architecture and design has been central to Maison Margiela’s philosophy since its founding in 1988. The Maison Margiela Residences is another expression of our values and an extension of our unconventional approach to design. Tailored details, stitches in leather, precious materials, red marble and vintage mirrors disrupts a traditional perception of design.”
For example: the immersive set designs and installations showcased by Maison Margiela over the years during fashion shows and events; the theatrical redesign of Paris’s luxury hotel La Maison Champs Elysées in 2011; and the creation of several stylish objects such as a series of upcycled bottle lamps, Matryoshka dolls, feather pens and white cushions. So it should come as no surprise that Maison Margiela set the bar high for every aspect of the design of its residences, developed in partnership with Alta Real Estate Development. The maison’s codes of deconstruction, trompe-l’oeil and transformation are translated into a luxury living environment and reflected through every aspect of the residences’ spaces. Or, as Sciuto describes it, “The architectural expression of an Haute Couture house.”
“The Alta and Maison Margiela Residences represent a bold vision of luxury and lifestyle innovation,” says Abdulla Al Tayer, managing director at Alta Real Estate Development. “As the first collaboration of its kind globally, the project blends iconic design with bespoke experiences, redefining luxury living in Dubai.”
Globally acclaimed Italian architect Carlo Colombo also worked with the Maison Margiela architecture team to craft an exclusive bespoke furniture collection — encompassing everything from sofas, armchairs and chairs, to tables, beds and lightings — ensuring the interiors are cohesive with the building shell. “I am a builder of dreams for living, work and leisure,” says Colombo, who has designed a vast range of successful products for the most prestigious brands, including Poliform, Artemide, Bugatti, Bentley and Elie Saab, to name only a few. “On my path, there is fascination with manufacturing, respect for those who produce, and for those who accompany the process of design as a concept and a physical reality.”
The use of travertine, the décortiqué technique and resin-filled indentations in optical white are all seen in the details of the residences, subtly echoing the spirit and particularities of Maison Margiela. Describing the desired atmosphere, Sciuto says, “The art of living, modernity with unexpected details and a tradition with the arts and craftmanship. The experimentation of unexpected materials; gold details, travertine, layered whites and subtle textures bringing together a reflection and blend of culture.” Pushing the luxurious concept further, an art gallery, curated library, fitness studios, infinity pool, gym, spa and a Margiela Café will also be on site.
“It has been thrilling to bring together the codes of more than 30 years of history of an iconic maison, led by the greatest fashion couturiers like Martin Margiela, John Galliano and now Glenn Martens,” says Renzo Rosso, founder and chairman of OTB Group, the parent company of Maison Margiela. “It has been very inspiring to create this first project, and I hope it marks the beginning of many more to come, aiming to define the unmistakable style of a one-of-a-kind fashion house.”
