Maison Margiela’s Artisanal collection for Spring 2024 is being widely lauded as one of designer John Galliano’s best.
Down the runway we saw him reimagine the underbelly of 1930s Paris, evoking the works of Hungarian-French photographer Brassaï, who wondered the streets at night and documented sex workers, street cleaners and the nightlife on Parisian streets.
It was the darker side to the glittering, wealthy high society photos that he also took.
It’s under this backdrop that Galliano brought a little celebrity into the mix, with Game Of Thrones and Wednesday’s Gwendoline Christie taking to the runway.
The show was theatrical in nature, so it only made sense for Christie, who has established herself as a successful theatre actress, to join the fray, in a rubber gown no less.
Christie was the finale of the show, the final model to strut the shadowy catwalk. Her rubber gown was almost see-through above the corset, complete with gloves, stockings and white shoes.
The look was complemented with a doll like makeup façade, featuring bold blue eyeshadow, thin eyebrows and a tiny, drawn on red lip. The sheeny, waxy complexion was a masterpiece created by Pat McGrath, with celebrities rushing to their social media to laud her creativity.
“Omg. You are the greatest living makeup artist of all time,” Bobbi Brown shared, while Katy Perry said, “My fav ever. Iconic. I’ve only ever used that word like twice. I think the first time was Beyoncé.”
Rather disturbing videos of the models peeling off the almost latex-like substance surfaced online after the show, highlighting just how much technical skill went into perfecting these looks.
Christie is being celebrated for her moment in the spotlight. “Gwendoline Christie just closed Maison Margiela Couture, I’m not ok!” one shared on Twitter. “She looks so grand, perfect person to close i love it,” another added.
Christie took the time to sit down in full costume and explain what this opportunity meant to her, thanking the movement director Pat Bogusławski for his direction:
It’s not the first time we’ve seen Christie, an avid fashionista herself, on the catwalk. She’s previously walked for Prada and Vivienne Westwood.
Galliano’s collection for Maison Margiela was bold, artistic and unapologetic, with models walking the runway in see-through and sheer corsets, exaggerated waistlines, shimmering skirts and bandaged legs. It was the forbidden freedom of old-world Paris, made couture, and it will surely make history.
While Galliano did not appear at the end of the show, those in attendance kept up their standing ovation for five minutes after it completed.