Ahlers is a fashion executive who worked with Margiela for many years (and who, incidentally, is third left and second row ...

To say the name Martin Margiela is to conjure images of stacked-heel tabi-toe boots and blank labels held in place with four visible stitches. The name also evokes an aura of beguiling mystery ...

All other images courtesy of Florilegius/Universal Images Group, Guy Marineau/Condé Nast via Getty Images, and ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock During Martin Margiela’s spring 1989 debut runway ...