Maison Margiela Tokyo Flagship Anniversary Celebrated with Toothpick Manga
Tokyo-based artist Takehito Moriizumi creates The Factory at Night sci-fi manga using a toothpick to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Ebisu flagship store on November 5, 2026.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Maison Margiela marks the 20th anniversary of its Ebisu flagship with a sci-fi manga.
- The Factory at Night is created by Tokyo-based artist Takehito Moriizumi using a toothpick.
- The storyline is inspired by the history of the abandoned electronics factory housing the store.
- Published as a limited-edition zine on November 5, 2026, alongside a digital edition.
To celebrate two decades of its flagship store in the Ebisu neighborhood of Tokyo, luxury fashion house Maison Margiela has collaborated with local artist Takehito Moriizumi to produce an original science-fiction manga titled The Factory at Night. This unique publication not only explores the profound transformation and memory of the building but also stands out for its meticulous visual identity, as the entire narrative is drawn using a single toothpick.
The plot follows a group of electrical engineering researchers who venture into an abandoned electronics factory to investigate strange signals detected inside. As they navigate the cavernous space, they encounter machinery, exposed wiring, and industrial remnants that echo the building's former life. The narrative ultimately guides them through a gradual metamorphosis that introduces fresh elements without erasing the architectural history left behind.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Takehito Moriizumi's unconventional choice of using a toothpick for detailed illustrations acts as a deliberate counter-statement to the rapid rise of digital and automated creative tools. This labor-intensive physical craftsmanship mirrors Maison Margiela's design philosophy, which frequently celebrates repurposing historical objects, valuing tangible traces of the past, and embracing imperfections in fashion and architecture.
Architectural elements and fashion references intertwine throughout the manga panels, featuring mannequins, garments, and complex structural frameworks where the factory itself becomes a central character. This artistic initiative mirrors the history of the Ebisu flagship, which occupies a former electrical control equipment factory taken over in 2006. The brand notoriously repurposed industrial elements into retail features, transforming the original goods elevator into fitting rooms and utilizing salvaged European furniture.
The Factory at Night forms part of the broader MaisonMargiela/folders initiative documenting the house's creative identity and urban context. Volume one of the limited-edition zine is officially released on November 5, 2026, available at selected newsstands in Ebisu and the Maison Margiela Tokyo store, while an international digital edition is accessible via Dropbox.
Source: designboom
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