Maison Margiela's First Boutique Wasn't in Paris? Uncovering Rare Archives for the Ebisu Flagship's 20th Anniversary
It even holds stories that Tabi fans will love.
Summary
- Maison Margiela is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its Ebisu flagship store relocation in Tokyo with the launch of the /folders archive project.
- On November 5, a limited-edition print publication, ZINE, will be distributed exclusively in the Ebisu neighborhood and inside the store.
- The project features interviews with local Tabi collectors, while a new Line 2 art installation will be on display in-store through November 15.
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of its relocation, Maison Margiela has launched the /folders project at its Ebisu flagship store in Tokyo. From now through November 15, the brand is sharing rare archives alongside interviews with Tabi collectors. A limited-edition ZINE will be distributed at the Ebisu Minami 2-8-13 location on November 5, accompanied by a new Line 2 art installation.
- Read more: Wearing silverware? Maison Margiela turns a garden tea party into a whimsical fashion show
Maison Margiela‘s very first boutique didn’t open in its home base of Paris, nor in the founder’s native Belgium. In 2000, the brand chose Ebisu, a quiet residential district on the outskirts of Tokyo, converting a traditional Japanese house into its debut store. In 2006, the boutique relocated a five-minute walk away to Ebisu Minami 2-8-13—a space that previously housed a small electrical appliance factory. The store has remained in this same neighborhood for the past two decades.
A limited-edition ZINE packed with stories Tabi fans will love
To mark 20 years at its current location, Maison Margiela launched the /folders project to unearth precious archives from over the years. For fans of the Tabi split-toe shoe, the highlight of this initiative might be the interviews with local Ebisu Tabi collectors sharing their personal stories with the iconic footwear.
These interviews and memories are compiled into a limited print publication, the ZINE. Copies will be distributed exclusively around the Ebisu neighborhood and inside the store on November 5. If you aren’t in Tokyo, digital archive documents are also accessible via the brand’s dedicated Dropbox.
Don’t miss the new Line 2 art installation
Beyond the archive retrospective, the Ebisu store features another highlight: a new Line 2 cultural dialogue art installation created in collaboration with Japanese artist Mio Suzuki and France’s historic Mobilier National. The piece will be on display through November 15—a perfect time to visit this story-filled flagship store if you happen to be in Tokyo.
Here are a few other stories you might want to check out:
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- Back in the spotlight after 15 years: Yoshitomo Nara’s The Crated Room, Iceland arrives in Hong Kong — what secrets does it hide?
- When the world expected her to break down, she reclaimed control in a daring black gown: Princess Diana's legendary "Revenge Dress" is now on display at Sotheby's
