The Marlougiela: Christian Louboutin Gives The Margiela Tabi A Glamorous Update
In a groundbreaking new collaboration that merges avant-garde design with classic glamour, Christian Louboutin and Maison Margiela have unveiled a capsule collection that reimagines iconic footwear silhouettes. Launched on March 12, 2025, this partnership showcases the creative energy between two fashion houses, resulting in a series of shoes that blend Maison Margiela’s deconstructed aesthetic with Louboutin’s signature red elegance. If you’re unfamiliar with the Tabi it is a split-toe silhouette drew inspiration from a Japanese worker’s shoe dating as far back as the 15th century. Today, Tabis are a Margiela signature,and they now do the split-toe silhouettes in all sorts of styles, including boots, loafers, and even ballet flat versions. Now, the Tabi isn’t a shoe for everyone. They demand a certain amount of fearlessness and boldness to pull them off. And this year, clearly, celebrities were willing to take the risk—and it paid off. The Tabi boot was once a rather niche footwear style, but in the past few years seemingly every celebrity from Kylie Jenner to Dua Lipa and Cardi B has been photographed wearing Tabi boots, and for every sort of occasion. They are now a must want item.
PHOTO:Margiela Tabi
Christian Louboutin interprets the Tabi with a sensual, feminine twist, crafting a split-toe design. This innovative approach replaces the traditional single-piece toecap with two distinct sections. The collection features three distinct styles: Bridiela Una Strass, Loubiella and Marlougiela. The star of the show is undoubtedly the Marlougiela ballet flat as seen below. It is like the classic Margiela Tabi split-toe but softened into a sleek, sculptural flat with Louboutin’s hallmark red bottoms.
PHOTO: Christian Louboutin Marlougiela
The capsule includes styles that are stripped off their outer layers, exposing the seams, boning, and closures that hold the shoes together. After all, these shoes are beauties both inside and out. This collaboration not only highlights the mutual respect and longstanding friendship between Galliano and Louboutin but also is an example of how blending distinct designs can result in innovative and captivating fashion. The collection is available in select boutiques worldwide and online, offering fashion enthusiasts a chance to experience this unique, deconstructed artistry and timeless glamour that the shoe has to offer.
For more on fashion collaborations, check out our article on Loewe x Hennessy’s Final Collaboration
More on the Marlougiela here.