Fashioning a way of life: When luxury becomes a living space
Few names in fashion carry the same air of quiet rebellion as Maison Margiela. Founded in 1988 by the enigmatic Belgian designer Martin Margiela, the maison challenged the conventions of luxury from the start—dismantling garments to reveal their inner seams, disguising identity behind anonymity, and transforming imperfection into art. Margiela’s approach to fashion has always been cerebral: white became its color of choice, a blank space for experimentation; deconstruction, its language.
Maison Margiela stands among the rarefied ranks of haute couture houses recognized by the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode, cementing its place in the highest echelon of fashion. Under the creative direction of Glenn Martens, the house continues to reinterpret couture through a modern lens—fusing experimental craftsmanship, conceptual storytelling, and rebellion.
Now, Maison Margiela carries this legacy into new territory: the world of real estate.
In partnership with Alta Real Estate Development, Maison Margiela unveils Maison Margiela Residences—its first foray into residential architecture. Located on Dubai’s prestigious Palm Jumeirah, this exclusive collection of 25 residences translates the maison’s core codes of deconstruction, trompe-l’œil, and transformation into a luxury living environment.
Designed by Maison Margiela in collaboration with Italian architect Carlo Colombo, the residences blend material experimentation with architectural mastery. Travertine, white resin, and the maison’s signature décortiqué technique converge in spaces that balance elegance and discretion. Each room is meticulously detailed—bathrooms wrapped in deep red marble that flows like silk, bedrooms dressed in soft layers of beige, gold, and ivory, with panoramic windows that look out the Arabian Gulf. Even in a city obsessed with grandeur, the residences redefine what high-end living can look—and feel—like.
Beyond the interiors, the property embraces the maison’s holistic vision of living as art and luxury. Residents can access an art gallery, curated library, pool, spa, gym, and a Margiela Café—each designed as an extension of the brand’s creative world.
The cultural shift in luxury and lifestyle
The Maison Margiela Residences represent more than a real estate venture—they signal a cultural shift in the evolving relationship between luxury and lifestyle. Fashion is no longer confined to what we wear; it now extends into the spaces we inhabit, deepening brand affinity while creating an entirely new category of exclusive luxury.
Thirty years ago, luxury was synonymous with rarity. A couture dress or designer handbag symbolized access to a world few could enter. But as luxury became democratized, through credit and resale markets, the idea of exclusivity began to blur. In response, fashion houses shifted their focus toward lifestyle, creating homes, hotels, restaurants, and experiences that can’t simply be bought but lived—a complete way of life built around their brand codes. In a sense, we’ve come full circle: luxury, once again, isn’t for everyone.
You can now dine at a Gucci Osteria, stay at Christian Louboutin’s hotel in Portugal, or even live in a Dolce & Gabbana residence in Marbella. Soon, Louis Vuitton will open its first hotel in Paris in 2026. Clearly, these brands are positioning themselves outside of just being a niche fashion label.
For Maison Margiela, stepping into this arena signifies more than expansion—it’s a statement of evolution. This move reflects a deeper truth about the state of modern luxury. In a market where almost anyone can access a logo, brands are reclaiming their mystique by offering something less tangible: immersion. They are selling lifestyle, not just objects; belonging, not just branding.
In other words, we are returning to the idea that true luxury is not about having more—it’s about being part of less.
After Margiela, we can’t help but wonder: which fashion house will design the way we live next? Perhaps we’re nearing a time when magazines no longer just feature clothes made by fashion houses, but homes, where couture is no longer expressed in fabric, but through architecture.
