Doc Martens x MM6 Maison Margiela: The new IT shoe of the season?

Dr. Martens has once again stirred up the world of fashion collaborations. Following partnerships with names like Ganni, the Met, and Rick Owens– which proved so successful they reunited for a second collaboration earlier this year– the British boot brand continues to reinterpret its classic designs in creative, new ways. Now, Dr. Martens joins forces with MM6 Maison Margiela, and with Maison Margiela Tabis ranking among the most coveted shoes of 2024, dominating social media feeds and red carpets alike, there was no better moment for this collaboration to drop.

  The Dr. Martens x MM6 Maison Margiela collection doesn’t come as a complete surprise, as it was teased multiple times throughout the year. The first glimpse of the collection was offered at Milan Fashion Week in February, followed by another hint in September during Margiela’s Spring/Summer 2025 show, where a pair of Dr. Martens boots covered in white paint—evoking the house’s signature painted Tabi boots—made an appearance. However, the final collection, officially revealed last week, leaves the white paint aside, having at its core instead the designs initially presented in February.

  The collection features three distinct shoes that blend the signature styles of the two cult-favorite brands. Reflecting the deconstructive motif that permeates Margiela’s designs, each shoe in the collection is reimagined by combining two Dr. Martens styles. The designs mix the classic 1460 boot with the 1461 derby shoe, and an Oxford shoe with a loafer, resulting in a playful and experimental twist that challenges the usual look of the Doc Martens. 

  The design intentionally disrupts continuity, emphasizing the dual components of each shoe. This contrast is highlighted not only by incorporating two colors within the same shoe- red and black, or two different shades of black - but also by mixing textures like in the case of the derby shoe-boot blend; the flat-grain leather on the upper half transitions into smooth leather on the lower half. The Oxford-loafer mix even features laces interrupted by the start of the loafer. Signature details, like Dr. Martens’ yellow stitching, logo pull-tab at the heel, and the debossed MM6 logo on the side and the insoles, complete the look, making these shoes the perfect union between the French and British labels.

  The highly anticipated collaboration has already hit selected stores, and while it may not be everyone’s cup of tea, I’m sure your local fashion-forward barista has already set their sights on a pair. And as someone who’s been that barista, I can honestly say that the loafer just became my fall dream shoe. Fingers crossed they’ll team up  again to create a Dr. Martens Tabi Boot or loafer— the ultimate gift to fashion enthusiasts everywhere.