Maison Margiela unveils The New Lock as part of the 2022 Avant-Première Collection. Creative Director John Galliano focuses on the turn lock as the muse for the new piece. The double-sided bag employs the lock as adornment and explores the study of inverted snobbery. Margiela describes this principle as “the act of transposing the placement of fine and humble notions and materials, giving new value to the latter.” The idea reinforces the meaning behind the dual-compartment bag, as its contrasting sides create an interesting relationship between refined and modest materials. 

The New Lock comes in two sizes. The smaller size is a clutch with a shoulder strap. The clutch transforms into a cross-body or belt bag as well. The larger size materializes in a handbag with a shoulder strap and a short brass chain handle. The indicator turn lock comes in a clash of metal colors and treatments, such as enamel, silver, and brass. The lock has two different combinations as well. One features a blank space when unlocked and the word ‘Engaged’ when locked. The other features the Maison’s numeric coding when unlocked and the words ‘In use’ when locked. 

Both editions of the bag take shape in a multitude of colors, materials, and lock combinations. One style features a goat leather front carrying the indicator lock in orange, blue, greige, or black. Treated white cotton covers the reverse side of this style, using the same materials from the blouse blanche coats that staff members at Maison Margiela wear. A second style focuses on trompe l’oeil or deceiving the eye, to expand upon inverted snobbery. One side uses printed leather posing as herringbone and has a tan leather flap. The reverse side uses printed eco fur to resemble crumpled paper. 

The New Lock bag retails at $1,740 and is available this spring in select Maison Margiela stores and on the house’s website.