Maison Margiela Debuts A Tabi Trainer With Reebok

Maison Margiela’s tabi shoe was first shown in 1988, and has appeared on the brand’s runways as a pump, boot, ballet flat, mule, and as a sole taped to model’s feet with clear packing tape since. Now, a new kind of tabi has been unveiled on Margiela’s Artisanal runway: a trainer. Made in collaboration with Reebok, the yellow unisex trainer combines the classic tabi split toe with Reebok’s Instapump Fury sneaker from 1994.

What’s so important about a Margiela x Reebok trainer? Consider this: the clunky style marks John Galliano’s first collaboration since joining Maison Margiela in 2014, and the first time the high priest of couture has collaborated with a mainstream brand ever.

The sneaker was also shown as part of the brand’s couture collection, elevating the shoe to a status reserved for Galliano’s bias-cut-dresses (of which there were several stunning iterations on the catwalk today), Stephen Jones’s headpieces, and Leon Dame’s slinky runway walk. So, yes, this is more than just your average running shoe.

The shoe will arrive in Maison Margiela stores later this year in a variety of colours, and in a flat and heeled style, too. The biggest issue, we’d bet, will be getting your hands on a pair.