Land return trends, in Autumn-Winter 2023/2024, abound. But there is one above all that has a more singular story than ever. Maybe it’s because of its recognizable appearance, or maybe it’s because it’s a true fashion icon: shoes Tabi Of Maison Margielaone hard core to die – in all senses. The Maison’s cult shoes in the shape of a sheep’s paw continue to cause discussion. And this season they are more sought after than ever.
How did the trend (re)emerge? Thanks on the one hand to the growth of interest in the vintage wardrobe, on the other to TikTokWhere it was a theft that made them go viral. Yes, you read that correctly. And, of course, of trendsetters and stars, from Dua Lipa to Irina Shaykwho brought them back into fashion by making them the protagonists of their latest 2023 outfits.
From radical chic to mainstream, it’s a short step
For fashion enthusiasts Tabi by Margiela are linked to an indelible memory, that fashion show in which the ankle boots made their first appearance, in 1988sprinkled on the soles with red paint to underline the models’ step. Hoof-shaped footprints split in two on the catwalk, which forever mark the path towards the Olympus of It Shoes. The amorphous shoes designed by the Belgian designer look to the Japanese culture of the 15th century: originally designed as slippers for the upper class in search of physical and mental balance (it was thought that the division on the big toe favored a certain balance) have become common thanks to the practical wearing.
The most popular Tabi Margiela models today
The rest is history. From niche footwear for lovers of ugly chic to mainstream shoes: It took over 30 years to reach today’s unrivaled popularity. The reason for the success? First and foremost, a recognizable upper that has never changed over the years. By his own admission, Martin Margiela immediately understood the potential of his shoe and proposed it again every season: a practice that continued even after the advent, in 2014, of John Galliano. And then an infinite number of different modelsstarting with the legendary ankle boots Tabi of Margiela to get to décolleté, dancers, lace-up, moccasins of every kind and color.
The time is more ripe than ever to mark the return of the Tabi to the track: their design is in fact no longer so divisive, after conquering the rankings of less harmonious footwear such as Crocs and Ancuta Sarca, just to name two. And the craze for the past that has struck the new generations for a few seasons now only underlines the concept.
The viral theft of Tabi
Yes, today Tabi by Margiela are transformed into the must-have piece to enhance the look in a glamorous and refined way, strong in their own radical chic past. So precious for the latest fashionistas that someone thought it best to steal them: the theft of the shoes made the news Tabi made viral on TikTok: at the beginning of September a young New Yorker, who earned the title of Tabi Swiper, had the brilliant idea to steal a pair of shoes from his Tinder date’s apartment. The story ended, if not on the front page, then on the first feed, with various videos and memes. And lo and behold, according to the online shopping platform Listthe interest in shoes is increased by 200% in just one week.
The outfits of the stars, from Dua Lipa to Irina Shayk
Instead, it is the photographers who steal the lights celebrity outfits of the moment, under the spotlight in the latest fashion month. Here Margiela shoes have recently appeared on the feet of fashion icons of the caliber of Dua Lipawho matched her dancers Tabi in black leather with a simple pair of jeans and a white shirt.
Dua Lipa with Margiela’s “Tabi” dancers (Photo: Ricky Vigil M /Justin E Palmer/GC Images).
And in version ankle bootsthe flagship model for Autumn-Winter 2023/2024, have already ended up at the feet of Chloe Sevigny in unsuspecting times. Flounced midi dress and total white model for the French actress in 2019, while Irina Shayk opt for both boots and pumps with straps Tabi and a blazer dress at the latest Paris Fashion Week. Different style ideas to update them and wear them, again and again.
Chloe Sevigny with white “Tabi” ankle boots by Margiela (Photo: Raymond Hall/GC Images).
The multiforms Tabi in short, they continue to attract fans, whatever the model. For those who feel ready for hype investingthere is only one recommendation: keep them carefullyaway from prying eyes. Very recent history teaches us.
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