An ode to craftsmanship and the enduring symbolism of the house’s most iconic design
Maison Margiela unveils A Tabi Film, an intimate visual exploration of one of fashion’s most enigmatic icons. Through a quiet lens, the film reflects on the craftsmanship, philosophy, and mythology surrounding the Tabi, a house signature since its debut in 1989 at Martin Margiela’s first runway show.
Inspired by traditional Japanese socks, the split-toe silhouette has come to represent not only an avant-garde aesthetic but also a way of thinking—an emblem of individuality, duality, and the poetic tension between art and utility that defines Margiela’s world.
The film traces the journey of a pair of Tabis from concept to final creation. Every step unfolds with meditative precision: the base prepared by hand over the course of four hours; the mould carved from a block of wood; the pattern cut, stitched, and assembled through an artisanal process involving eleven dedicated craftspeople, each specializing in a distinct stage of the shoe’s construction. The result is an object that resists industrialization. Each Tabi is completed with one white stitch at the heel, a quiet but potent mark of identity that speaks to the Maison’s discreet codes of authorship.
Interwoven throughout are archival images and historical footage, connecting the present craft to decades of cultural resonance. From Margiela’s early deconstructivist presentations to its reinterpretations under John Galliano, the Tabi remains a symbol of continuity and rebellion—a design that challenges conformity while honoring tradition.
There’s something beautiful about when a house opens its doors to reveal the making of its icons. Films like A Tabi Film remind us that fashion is not only about what we wear, but about the hands, history, and heritage that shape each piece. In showing the process, Maison Margiela invites its audience into a quiet dialogue, one that deepens our appreciation for craftsmanship and reaffirms why these objects endure.
A Tabi Film serves as both documentation and meditation. In re-examining its most enduring creation, Maison Margiela invites viewers to see the Tabi not merely as footwear, but as an enduring manifesto of craft, identity, and time.