From Japan to Maison Margiela the history of TABI is written, both male and female shoes, viewed with horror by those who do not work in the fashion system, but loved by fashion enthusiasts.
Whether it was love at first sight or not, now you can find out where they come from and in case, if you really don’t like them, you will know who you will take it out with.
We are dark, however, that even the most skeptical, after reading these few lines, will be ready to change their mind and start their love story with a fashion symbol with a capital M.
Japan 15th century
TABI were originally born as socks, not as shoes. A model of cotton sock suitable to be worn with Japanese tradition flip flops. If the first TABI of Maison Margiela are painted red, the colors of traditional Japanese TABI instead symbolize the class to which the wearer belongs, or the special occasion for which they were worn. Blue, white, gold and purple are among the most used colors.
Japan 20th century
During the Second World War in Japan the so-called Jika-tabi spread, literally such that they touch the ground. The new model arrived in the USA in 1951 worn by the athlete Shigeki Tanaka, and which led him to the victory of the Boston marathon.
USA 1996
Nike launches its version of the TABI shoe with the Air Rift model. A hybrid shoe halfway between sneakers and sandal that becomes very popular thanks to celebrities like Madonna. However, Nike’s TABI is not understood and appreciated by consumers and falls by the wayside for 20 years.
From 1998 to today
The TABI have become the signature of Maison Margiela, which makes them a real cult object for industry insiders. A shoe fruit of centuries of history returns to the fore today claims its unique and iconic design. The reinterpretations of this model by other brands are not long in coming: Prada with the spring / summer 2013 collection combines samurai style suits with TABI socks above the ankle. And we can’t forget the Mark Borthwick shot of the young Chloe Sevigny wearing black Tabi Boots on a beach in the early 2000s.
This shoe model is the spokesman for the idea of looking beyond the severe judgment of public opinion. It doesn’t matter how many people don’t understand an idea of style, there will be just as many who instead will fall in love with it.
So what makes this shoe so fascinating? For Japanese gardeners and mechanics who still wear Jaki-tabi today it is certainly comfort, while for the world of fashion it is the timeless strangeness of the model.
Aren’t you tired of being boring and predictable? To amaze everyone, a couple of TABI are enough! Choose the one that’s right for you among the new personalized models of Maison Margiela.
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