From Claw Couture to Tabi Boots: How Fashion Fell for Toes

Over the past year, a surprising trend has taken root in high fashion: an obsession with toes. From Schiaparelli’s gilded toenails to AVAVAV’s monstrously charming footwear, designers are increasingly turning to our often-overlooked extremities for inspiration.

The Rise of the Toe Trend

The fascination began gaining momentum with luxury fashion houses like Schiaparelli, showcasing dramatic designs featuring gold “claw couture” toenails and sculpted toe accents on their footwear. This wasn’t an isolated incident; brands like Khaite and AVAVAV quickly followed suit, embracing toe-centric designs with varying degrees of boldness. AVAVAV’s viral “slimy feet” boots, complete with oversized toes, exemplify this trend’s willingness to push boundaries.

This embrace of the toe isn’t merely about novelty. It’s a logical progression of the “ugly shoe” trend, which has seen previously unconventional footwear – Crocs, Birkenstocks, Uggs – elevated to high fashion status through designer collaborations. As fashion editor Maria Bobila notes, designers are drawn to “turning something super polarizing and ugly into fashion.”

The Tabi Takeover and Google Trends

The trend extends beyond new designs, with renewed interest in established toe-focused styles. Search interest for Maison Margiela Tabi – the iconic split-toe “hoof” style inspired by Japanese tabi socks – jumped by 66% in April, according to Google Trends. The hashtag #tabi boots boasts over 17 million views on TikTok, demonstrating the style’s significant presence within Gen Z fashion culture.

Fetish, Function, and the Allure of the Foot

Experts suggest the toe trend carries a distinctly fetishistic undertone, playing with the inherent mystique and often-taboo nature of feet. Professor Frenchy Lunning notes that fashion is, at its core, the “fetishization of clothing,” imbuing objects with special meaning. Shoes, in particular, have long held a dual role in fashion – representing both allure and discomfort.

Historically, extreme footwear, like the elongated pointed shoes of the Renaissance, symbolized status and wealth, even at the expense of practicality. This willingness to prioritize aesthetics over comfort continues today, with designers exploring the boundaries of footwear design.

From Runway to Reality

The influence of fetish fashion, exemplified by Madonna’s 2021 VMA performance and looks at the Met Gala, further underscores this trend. The rise of boundary-pushing aesthetics is also apparent in the work of designers like Richard Quinn and Julia Fox, who incorporate elements of kink and fetish into their public style.

As these designs trickle down from the runway to mainstream retailers, it suggests a broader cultural shift towards embracing unconventional and provocative fashion choices. Ultimately, the toe trend represents a playful and daring exploration of the human form, challenging conventional notions of beauty and style.

Key Takeaways

• High fashion is experiencing a surge in toe-focused designs, exemplified by Schiaparelli, AVAVAV, and Maison Margiela.
• The trend is linked to the broader “ugly shoe” movement and a willingness to embrace unconventional aesthetics.
• Search interest in Maison Margiela Tabi boots has increased significantly, driven by TikTok and Gen Z fashion.
• The trend carries a fetishistic undertone, exploring the inherent mystique and taboo nature of feet.
• Designers are pushing boundaries and challenging conventional notions of beauty and style with these toe-centric creations.