We all heard of how the tabi theft went down. What first started with a hook-up turned into a theft – where $1000 worth of shoes disappeared. Let’s recap.
Alexis Dougé posted on TikTok about her date with a Tinder boy. They spent the entire day together and Dougé said it went well. But what happened next was unusual: Dougé’s Margiela tabis disappeared.
She looked everywhere but her tabis were nowhere to be found. So there was only one explanation: the culprit was the Tinder date. Dougé wanted to text him about it, but he had unfriended her on Tinder and deleted his number from her phone. After posting about it on social media, Dougé found out he stole her shoes to gift to his girlfriend. This story has a happy ending – she got her shoes back – but what is up with the Margiela tabi that an entire theft scheme went down?
Tabi, or jikatabi, traces back to the 15th century when they were worn by Japanese workers. Maison Margiela did not invent the tabi, but he took his spin on it. Tabi started as socks and the split toe played a role in promoting balance through separating the big toe. This detail promoted a sense of a “clear mind."
Many brands have produced tabis. SOU-SOU, ILYSM, Vetements, Nike, and the list goes on. But there is a reason why the tabi is associated with Martin Margiela. It hit the runway in 1989 and has mesmerized everyone since. The tabi soles were dipped in red paint, so the models walked down the runway leaving footprints behind. The footprints symbolize tabi's mark now.
“The Tabi boot is the most important footprint of my career,” said the designer. Margiela tabi has an allure that other brands can’t replicate. From afar, tabis might seem like your average shoes. But at a closer look, the cloven hooves initiate a sense of puzzlement.
Tabis are not only intended to be the centerpiece of an outfit, but they also promote comfort, and extra security. Tabi also supports posture. It comes in various shapes and sizes: topless, loafer, ballet flat, knee boot, clog and trainer, and ankle boot.
It’s clear that Margiela did not intend these shoes to be universally likable. After all, the controversy keeps the tabi's spark alive. Lately, tabi has been trending more than ever where many celebrities like Dua Lipa and Kylie Jenner have hopped on the bandwagon. The shoes are also viral on TikTok. But tabi is not a wardrobe piece that will be out of style which is the case with most trends. The split toe and leather create the perfect timeless shoe that we will see in different fashion cycles.
Meliha Ural is the Editor-in-Chief of Revolution's blog.
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