The history of Tabis

Have you ever heard the name "Tabis"? If you have not, then this is the post for you.

Lately, this split-toe design has been all over pop culture as an It-Shoe and a status symbol.

Those shoes actually date back to 1988, when designer Martin Margiela premiered the boot inspired by centuries-old Japanese workwear on his runway. Known for making pieces that look wrong on purpose, the hoof-like shoe fit into his brand ethos.

They appear uncomfortable and there is something off about them. They definitely draw confused stares but that's kind of the point in them. They have been constantly described as "anti-fashion" and an emblem of rebelliousness. By default, the person who wears them has come to gain a reputation for being in the know. And while this cleft toe looks defied conventional footwear silhouettes, it's entered the mainstream in recent years as a staple of celebrity style.

Today, Margielas are everywhere. Ultimately their unexpected rise to the top of the fashion food chain speaks to the fact that style is subjective, and "taste" is just a construct. I could not help but wonder, are they even considered "strange" anymore?