For the Maison Margiela Fall 2014 Haute Couture season, the collection features beautifully crafted pieces with an ecclectic mix of iconic sayings and objects fused with rich handwork and a restructured twist. The ‘Artisanal’ collection revisited the collective memory of Haute Couture recreated in an array of periods, iconic places and images. The collection featured luxury fabric done with floral weaves, resurface on lean one-shouldered dresses and capelike columns that were sliced open on the side to reveal a bare leg. Bustier tops and diaphanous skirts were teamed with an embroidered lobster slung over the model’s shoulder in a not-so-subtle homage to Elsa Schiaparelli’s fantasy couture.

Japanese embroidered bomber jackets from the Fifties, sourced at garage sales in New York and antique dealers in London, were extended into lean evening dresses, while the show’s highlight was a sleeveless dress sewn together from an assemblage of lifelike iris embroideries evoking Vincent van Gogh’s famous painting.

The Belgium designer unveiled 20 breathtaking looks, as each model walked down the runway – sporting Maison Margiela’s trademark face masks – clothes went from white tailored pants paired with floral jacquard-style jackets  to strapless beaded patchwork dresses.