Hot pink, doused in paint, or on roller wheels, Maison Margiela’s esteemed and beloved Tabi shoe comes in all forms. Sometimes they’re preserved, kept in pristine condition, and sometimes they’re lived-in, subjected to constant re-wear. No matter how the Tabis come or are kept, they’re treasured nonetheless. For the first time, enthusiasts, admirers, and curious onlookers alike have the chance to see them on full display and step into the intimate archives of the iconic split-toe shoe, taken directly from the collections of Margiela Tabi stans.

Courtesy of Maison Margiela

Since the debut of the Tabi, in its boot form on the Spring-Summer 1989 runway, the silhouette has transformed not only into a hero piece, a canvas of the Maison, but of the industry as well. Finding aficionados of the shoe is an uncomplicated task: simply look down. Devout Tabi-heads display their Tabis both on their feet and on their shelves. Presently, however, the best-of-the-best collections have been returned to the Maison’s hands. This week, MaisonMargiela/folders—a series of exhibitions which explore Maison Margiela’s physical and digital archives—has opened a shared space welcoming all to tour the personal collections of nine Tabi loyalists.

“The Tabi: Collectors Exhibition,” open from April 9th to 13th at the Third Avenue Art Museum in Chengdu, China, displays Tabis of every kind, from simple leather classics to rare, reconstructed silhouettes. In full-scale photography and live display, the intimate wardrobes of the nine collectors bear all, showcasing the true fashion of a loved Tabi shoe, no matter its state or form.

Courtesy of Maison Margiela

MaisonMargiela/folders’ “Tabi: Collectors Exhibition” is open daily from April 9th to 13th, from 10 AM to 8 PM, at the Third Avenue Art Museum in Chengdu, China.