Martin Margiela will not be replaced at Maison Martin Margiela.
One would think it’s because he’s impossible to replace, but the design team begs to differ, “We came to the conclusion that we didn’t want to substitute [Martin], not because he is irreplaceable, but because we are the Maison Martin Margiela. He always liked to say to his design team, ‘You are more Margiela than me.”
Raf Simons and Haider Ackerman were both considered for the position, but for various reasons – would they even want the job? too much pressure? impossible to work under the name Margiela? – either no one wants it or the offer’s off the table.
While the house is pursuing a more commercial, and therefore lucrative, strategy, Margiela himself has apparently abandoned fashion altogether to focus on his painting.