A New Piece Of The Maison Martin Margiela Puzzle. [Tangent Magazine]

The most elusive fashion house in the industry, Maison Martin Margiela, may have revealed just a little bit more by joining forces with Cutler and Gross for their first eyewear collaboration.

Maison Martin Margiela and Cutler and Gross have worked together to launch an eyewear collection for Spring/Summer 2011 that is, unsurprisingly, original and distinctive.

The first collection called Line 8 is made of just two lines – Anatomic and Wrong Size – and allows an exclusive peek into a new dimension of Maison Martin Margiela, a label which is well known for being subversively inconspicuous.

Anatomic incorporates an enlarged rounded shape, enveloping the face to protect the full visual field, while Wrong Size uses a geometric play on lenses which are seemingly ill fitting the frame.

The collection is based on irreverential design and hand-made quality, demonstrating a clear sharing of common values between the two labels.

Since its beginnings in 1988, Maison Martin Margiela has been one of the most influential and enigmatic design houses on the global fashion stage.

Often referred to as iconoclast and experimental, Maison Martin Margiela expresses creativity through recycling, transformation and reinterpretation – defying all fashion laws and rules to exhibit something endlessly surprising.

And Martin Margiela himself, although no longer directly involved in the design process, by having always maintained an incredibly low profile – rarely even allowing his photo to be taken – has forever represented an anomaly in an industry that places utmost value on image and public accessibility.

This elusiveness has ensured that Maison Martin Margiela’s designs speak for themselves and are always appreciated as products of a collaborative team.

These values and the tradition of mystery has continued since Martin Margiela’s departure and is strongly reflected in this collaboration with Cutler and Gross, a label which also values secrecy and subtlety.

Since founding Cutler and Gross in 1969, Graham Cutler and Tony Gross have pioneered unique eyewear, transforming what was once a medical necessity into a desirable, modern item that is shaped by innovation, British flair and manufacturing by hand.

Cutler and Gross pride themselves on celebrating the individual rather than the label, a philosophy that has enabled the brand to be internationally chic and discerningly underground.

In fact, Cutler and Gross eyewear doesn’t even have a logo.

I don’t think it gets any less ostentatious in the fashion industry than that.

With their mutual appreciation for discretion, originality and understated flair, the parallel between Maison Martin Margiela and Cutler and Gross is blatant.

And, this collaboration is destined to be one of fashion’s most perfect matches.

Line 8 will be available in November from all Maison Martin Margiela’s stores and selected Cutler and Gross retailers.