Brand intelligence
Maison Margiela
Maison Margiela is the Paris house founded by Belgian designer Martin Margiela, known for conceptual dress, deconstruction, anonymity, artisanal techniques and the enduring influence of its Artisanal line. The house is part of OTB Group. John Galliano led the house for a decade before Glenn Martens was appointed Creative Director with immediate effect in January 2025. Martens’ parallel role at Diesel is recorded separately: it is not evidence that the two OTB houses share creative leadership or operating data. The page treats Margiela’s founder era, the Galliano era and Martens’ current mandate as dated, distinct chapters, while keeping OTB’s group reporting separate from brand-specific performance.
- Country
- France
- Founded
- 1988
- Creative lead
- Glenn Martens
- Ownership
- OTB
- Documented milestones
- 7
- Jenny Meirens — Co-Founder and Business Partner1988–2002 · house · former · Vogue
- Martin Margiela — Co-Founder and Creative Director1988–2009 · house · former · OTB Group
- Nadège Vanhee-Cybulski — Designer, Design Studio2005–2008 · house · former · Le Parisien
- John Galliano — Creative Director2014–2024 · all fashion · former · Associated Press
- Glenn Martens — Creative Director2025–Present · house · current · OTB
- Gaetano Sciuto — Chief Executive Officer2022–Present · house · current · OTB
- 1988 — Maison foundedMartin Margiela and Jenny Meirens establish the Paris house.
- 1989 — Breakthrough runway showThe house stages an influential presentation in an unconventional Paris setting.
- 2002 — Maison joins OTBOTB Group acquires the house.
- 2009 — Founder departsMartin Margiela leaves the house that bears his name.
- 2012 — Haute Couture appellationThe Artisanal line receives official haute couture status.
- 2014 — John Galliano appointedGalliano becomes creative director.
- 2025 — Glenn Martens appointedMartens begins his tenure as creative director.