Maison Margiela presents the short film “Joy,” starring composer and pianist Max Richter, to accompany the Co-Ed Spring Summer 2026 collection. The film features Richter together with an orchestra of 43 young musicians from the Association Orchestre à l’École. The project centers on an original score composed by Richter for the campaign. He performs the composition on harpsichord while surrounded by the orchestra. The film launches on March 11, the same day the Spring Summer 2026 collection arrives in stores and online.
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The campaign draws its concept from the Co-Ed Spring Summer 2026 runway presentation. One of the themes explored during the show focused on a chaotic night at the opera. Several of the musicians who appeared on the runway also participate in the film.
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The narrative unfolds inside a concert venue that initially appears empty and ordinary. As the film progresses, the auditorium changes character and transforms into a playful environment. A climbing frame stands in front of the theater seats. A swing appears within the space. A slide runs through the aisle between rows. The orchestra spent three months rehearsing with Max Richter in preparation for the performance recorded for the film.
Max Richter describes the project as an exploration of collective creativity. The composer recently received an Academy Award nomination for the original score of the film Hamnet. Reflecting on the collaboration, Richter emphasizes the power of performing music together. According to Richter, playing within an orchestra enables people to communicate through sound and share a common vision through performance. He describes his work with Association Orchestre à l’École and Maison Margiela as an experience built on collaboration and shared purpose.
The film and the accompanying imagery were recorded at the Théâtre de la Villette in Paris. Throughout the film, Richter appears in looks drawn from the Co-Ed Spring Summer 2026 collection. These garments present the tailored silhouette that formed the core of the runway presentation. The young musicians wear oversized suits that have been painted white through Maison Margiela’s Bianchetto treatment.
Alongside the film, the campaign presents images focused on two accessories introduced during the Spring Summer 2026 show. The Heel-less shoe returns as an archival Maison Margiela concept. The design conceals the heel inside the shoe structure and appears in two versions: a Western boot and a pump. The campaign also introduces the Box Bag, a new design presented during the runway show. The bag is crafted from soft leather and features reinforced edges created through a thermoforming technique.
The project extends into digital space through a curated Spotify playlist. The playlist gathers songs selected by the young orchestra and Max Richter under the shared theme of joy. Listeners can access the playlist through Maison Margiela’s official Spotify account.
