Maison Martin Margiela, known as the "master of deconstruction," is regarded as one of the most influential designers in fashion alongside Rei Kawakubo. He was once the assistant to Jean-Paul Gaultier and served as the creative director of Hermès from 1997 to 2003. Despite his reclusive nature and refusal to appear in public or give interviews, his avant-garde and mysterious style continues to inspire new generations. Margiela is renowned for his deconstructed aesthetics, transforming ordinary garments into innovative pieces—like turning a blazer into a dress or a coat into shorts. Early collections didn’t even bear a visible logo, reflecting his belief that design should speak for itself, free from branding.
In 1988, the brand debuted its iconic “Tabi Boots,” inspired by traditional Japanese split-toe socks. To make a bold statement, the soles were dipped in red paint, leaving “bloody” footprints on the white runway—creating a legendary fashion moment. Today, current creative director John Galliano continues to evolve the Tabi line, expanding its materials, forms, and even introducing it to menswear, further pushing the brand’s gender-fluid vision and cementing the Tabi boots as one of Maison Margiela’s most iconic designs.