Maison Margiela announces the first edition of their Tabi Collector’s series with the launch of the Tabi Broken Mirror Embroidery. With only 25 pairs worldwide, the limited-edition Tabi will be displayed in select stores today.

Since its debut in 1988 by Martin Margiela, the Tabi remains an emblem of Maison Margiela and a tangible illustration of the luxury house’s masterful artistry. The Tabi Collector’s series is an annual release to celebrate the house’s iconic shoe through innovative technology and material experimentation.

Originally introduced in the AW15 Artisanal collection, Maison Margiela’s Broken Mirror treatment has played a fundamental role in the brand’s identity since its inception. The Broken Mirror treatment begins by applying a silver coating to the shoe’s leather, which is then cracked, slowly shattering the mirror to reveal the material underneath and create a striking reflection of light and metal hues. The Tabi Broken Mirror Embroidery presents the first 3D rendition of the Broken Mirror treatment.

Each pair of the special edition Tabi is hand-embroidered with over 8,000 glass beads, sequins, and metallic embellishments, with contrasting shades of metallic fragments laser-cut to simulate the fractured surface of aged glass. These are individually treated to form a progression at the edges that mimics the gradual oxidation of a broken mirror. For depth and intensity, transparent glass beads are distributed throughout the embroidery.

To celebrate the first installment of the series, Italian film maker Yuri Ancarani traces the journey of the Tabi from its conceptual form to its final production in a cinematic exploration that captures why the Tabi is considered not only a shoe, but a work of art.