Maison Margiela and Christian Louboutin Reinvent the Tabi Style and Use Deconstructive Methods In Their Two-Part Debut Capsule Collection
Two beloved French fashion houses, Maison Margiela and Christian Louboutin, have joined together to create their first capsule shoe collection.
Hitting the market on March 12, the collection includes seven shoe designs across two capsules, Maison Margiela by Christian Louboutin and Christian Louboutin by Maison Margiela, which each include three and four styles, respectively. Prices range from $1,095 – $2,395.
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The luxury labels first collaborated as part of the Maison Margiela 2024 Artisanal collection, which featured six haute couture styles fusing the sensibilities of the two brands. The mind-melding of John Galliano and Louboutin made waves, with Miley Cyrus wearing one of their joint creations to the Grammys last year. Now the lauded fashion leaders, who have known each other since the beginning of their careers, find inspiration in one another yet again with the two-part capsule highlighting both their individuality as brands and their commonalities.
Margiela’s famous Tabi style, which is a cloven toe shoe beloved by the likes of Pauletta Washington, is reinvented in the first capsule. As described in part in a joint press release, “The Maison Margiela by Christian Louboutin collection considers the Maison’s signature Tabi through the curvaceous and feminine form language of Christian Louboutin.”
The three styles craft the split-toe design from two individual pieces, a departure from the traditional split cut into the toe cap. Additionally, a cordate, or heart-shaped, silhouette references a woman’s décolleté. The Bridiela Una Strass, a bridal shoe, is a pump constructed on a new last with a 100 mm heel. The Loubiella sandal, also featuring a 100 mm heel, is inspired Louboutin’s Rosalie shoe; it features an asymmetrically twisted strap across the foot and ankle. The last in this capsule, the Marlougiela, is a ballerina shoe with sculptural lines. All of the styles feature Louboutin’s signature red sole.
An official description of the second capsule reads in part, “The Christian Louboutin by Maison Margiela collection re-frames the seductive silhouettes of Christian Louboutin through the inverted and subversive lens of the Maison.” This capsule uses Maison Margiela’s decortiqué technique on Louboutin styles, which means “to strip something of its outer layers.” Once more, the styles in this capsule showcase Louboutin’s recognizable red sole.
Aiming to represent soul and authenticity, Christian Louboutin by Maison Margiela does indeed show you what’s at the core of its shoes. An ankle strap sandal based on the Kate Max last is introduced with the Bilougiela 25, which features a 100 mm heel; the black patent is peeled away in part on the upper to show the shoe’s innards, with this practice also applied to the deconstructed heel cap.
A pointed pump joins the group with the Martinloula, also based on the Kate Max last and featuring the faux-cul heel cap originally created by Christian Louboutin for the Maison Margiela 2024 Artisanal Collection. The leather is subtracted into garlanded strands adorning the shoe, showing off more elements of the shoe construction.
With the Xrismarteen, the Martinloula is extended into a knee-length boot with a 100 mm heel, which features draped strips of leather along its shaft unveiling the lining of the shoe.
Lastly, there is the Martoubi 25, which is a pointed, elongated pump with, once again, a 100 mm heel. The white leather shoe features a red brushstroke across the heel cap.
See more photos of the collaborative Maison Margiela and Christian Louboutin footwear below.
A Closer Look at the Maison Margiela x Christian Louboutin Capsule Collection [PHOTOS]
Launch Gallery: A Closer Look at the Maison Margiela x Christian Louboutin Capsule Collection [PHOTOS]
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