The Louboutin x Margiela Collection Is This Year’s Hottest Shoe Collab Yet

The Tabi split-toe meets the iconic red lacquer sole.

Published on Jul 29, 2025

Inarguably, tabi shoes are one of today’s most recognizable footwear designs. Polarizing as they are, their hoof-like design sparks instant recognition and often stirs debate (much like the toes they divide). But thanks to Maison Margiela, the Tabi has evolved beyond novelty and into a cult classic revered by fashion’s elite tastemakers.

Over the years, Margiela has reinterpreted the Tabi across a range of styles—from sneakers to Mary Janes and ballet flats—continually adapting the silhouette to contemporary wardrobes. Earlier this year, the house debuted a striking new iteration, having teamed up with luxury shoemaker Christian Louboutin for a limited capsule collection.

First unveiled in February 2025, the collaboration became available in boutiques by March, quickly capturing the hearts of celebrities worldwide. Celebrities such as Miley Cyrus and Dua Lipa were among the first to step out in its standout styles.

The powerhouse collab marries the distinct signatures of both brands: Margiela’s subversive Tabi toe and Louboutin’s unmistakable red lacquered sole. A match made in fashion heaven, if we say so ourselves.

Read on for a closer look at the full Christian Louboutin x Maison Margiela capsule.

About the Collaboration

Christian Louboutin x Maison Margiela

The luxury labels first collaborated as part of the Maison Margiela 2024 Artisanal collection presented back in January of that year, helmed by the house’s then-creative director John Galliano. Through the collaboration, the lauded designers, who have known each other since the beginning of their careers, conceived the collaboration as a fusion of two distinct design philosophies: Margiela's minimalist, deconstructed aesthetic, realized through his iconic Tabi shoes and Louboutin's signature glamour and sensuality, particularly his iconic red soles.

“John and I met about 40 years ago when he first moved to Paris. Working with someone you love and respect was really the nice part of the collaboration. Moreover, Maison Margiela has such precise and strong codes that you can refer to, which are very well preserved,” Christian Louboutin himself recounted.

Maison Margiela's 2024 Artisanal Collection by John Galliano. PHOTOS: CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN, MAISON MARGIELA, X/LAMODE

At its core, the collection reinterprets iconic Louboutin silhouettes through a Margiela lens, exploring themes of "decortiqué" (stripping down) and revealing the inner structure of the shoes, while also incorporating Margiela's Tabi shape.

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PHOTOS: CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN

LOOK:

The Pieces in the Christian Louboutin x Maison Margiela Collab

The collaboration is presented in two distinct capsules: Maison Margiela by Christian Louboutin and inversely, Christian Louboutin by Maison Margiela.

I. Maison Margiela by Christian Louboutin

This collection transforms Margiela’s iconic Tabi into more curvaceous, feminine forms inspired by Louboutin’s design vocabulary. The idea of “unconscious glamour,” a Margiela concept, emerges through the reimagined split-toe in pumps, sandals, and ballet flats.

This capsule features three designs: the Bridiela Una Strass, Loubiella, and Marlougiela.

Bridiela Una Strass

A bridal-ready pump with a 100mm stiletto, the Bridiela Una Strass reinterprets the Tabi by constructing the toe from two separate panels, resulting in a rounded, heart-shaped opening. Made from sheer mesh and patent calf leather, it sparkles with a gradient of rhinestones and finishes with a white stitch detail and of course— the Louboutin red sole.

Available colorways include black, silver, and beige.

Bridiela Una Strass, $1795 (approximately P102,583.91), MAISON MARGIELA X CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN, maisonmargiela.com

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Loubiella

A sculptural sandal with a 100 mm heel, the Loubiella draws from Louboutin’s Rosalie silhouette. It features a twisted strap detail that elegantly wraps the foot and ankle.

This design comes in two leather finishes: black patent and Platine gold leather

The Loubiella, $1735 (approximately P99,154.93), MAISON MARGIELA X CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN, theluxurycloset.com*

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Loubiella Slingback Pump in Gold Laminated Calfskin, P98,476, MAISON MARGIELA X CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN, sand-uaecom*

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Marlougiela

A contemporary flat with geometric lines, the Marlougiela features the Tabi’s split-toe form but softened with a more sensual silhouette. Like the Bridiela, its split is achieved by joining two materials rather than cutting through.

The Marlougiela flat comes in 5 iterations.The classic design comes in a solid black and deep oxblood hues, rendered in high-shine, patent calf leather. Whereas another version, called the Marlougiela Strass, is patterned after the Bridiela Una Strass, with the same sheer mesh upper and rhinestone embellishments.

Marlougiela - Red Tabi Ballerina Shoes, AED 4200 (approximately P65,358.75), MAISON MARGIELA X CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN, maisonmargiela.com

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Marlougiela Black, €945 (approximately P62,795.25), MAISON MARGIELA X CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN, eu.christianlouboutin.com

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Marlougiela Strass - Silver, €1395 (approximately P92,697.75), MAISON MARGIELA X CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN, eu.christianlouboutin.com

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Marlougiela Strass - Beige, SAR 7100 (approximately P108,354.38), MAISON MARGIELA X CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN, sa.christianlouboutin.com

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Marlougiela Strass - Black, £1325 (approximately P101,719.71), MAISON MARGIELA X CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN, shop.doverstreetmarket.com*

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II. Christian Louboutin by Maison Margiela

Just as its name implies, this capsule flips the lens. Now, classic Louboutin styles are reimagined using Margiela’s signature décortiqué technique, which centers on exposing the underlying construction of the shoe.

Four silhouettes are included in this collection: the Bilougiela 25, Martinloula, Xrismarteen, and Martoubi 25.

Bilougiela 25

With its 100 mm heel, this ankle-strap sandal references the Louboutin Kate Max shoe. Portions of the black patent upper are peeled back to reveal its inner framework, with the same treatment applied to the heel cap for a raw, deconstructed look.

Bilougiela 25 - 100 mm Strappy pumps - Patent calf leather, €1195 (approximately P80,041.10), CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN X MAISON MARGIELA, eu.christianlouboutin.com

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Martinloula

A pointed-toe pump, also based on the Kate Max, the Martinloula incorporates Louboutin’s faux-cul heel cap—first seen in Margiela’s 2024 Artisanal collection. The leather is partially removed and reshaped into garland-like strands, spotlighting the shoe’s construction anew.

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Martinloula - 100 mm Pumps - Lamb nappa leather - Black, SEK 15,600 (approximately P93,569.53), CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN X MAISON MARGIELA, eu.christianlouboutin.com.

Xrismarteen

This knee-high boot expands on the Martinloula silhouette. Draped strips of leather cascade down the shaft, appearing to reveal the boot’s interior and adding dramatic movement to the 100 mm-heeled style.

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Xrismarteen - 100 mm Boots - Lamb nappa leather - Black, €1995 (approximately P133,625.10), CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN X MAISON MARGIELA, eu.christianlouboutin.com.

Martoubi 25

A sleek pointed pump in white leather, the Martoubi 25 features an extended silhouette and a 100 mm heel. A bold red brushstroke on the heel cap provides a graphic, painterly accent— a clever nod to the iconic red lacquered sole, in the most Margiela way.

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Martoubi 25 - 100 mm Pumps - Lamb nappa leather - Bianco, HUF 440,000 (approximately P74,471.34), CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN X MAISON MARGIELA, eu.christianlouboutin.com

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How to Shop the Christian Louboutin x Maison Margiela Collab

Since its global launch, the collection has seen high demand and limited availability. At present, the pieces are no longer available on either of the brands’ official website. However, there are two other ways to cop pieces from the collection: drop by either of the brands’ boutiques on your next international trip, or source through trusted luxury retailers like Dover Street Market, Net-A-Porter, Mytheresa, or LYST.

Celebrities Wearing Shoes from the Louboutin x Margiela Collab

Filipina fashion influencer Angelique Manto wearing the Marlougiela Strass in silver

Filipina fashion influencer Angelique Manto wears the Marlougiela Strass in silver. PHOTO: INSTAGRAM/ANGELIQUEMANTO

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Korean-American influencer Chriselle Lim wears the Martinloula shoe. PHOTO: INSTAGRAM/CHRISELLELIM

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Actress Jenna Ortega wearing the Loubiella in black patent leather. PHOTO: X/JENNA_ETHEREAL

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Miley Cyrus wears the Xrismarteen boots. PHOTO: INSTAGRAM/MILEYCUADOR

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Dutch model Imaan Hammam wears the Bridiela Una Strass in silver to the 2025 MET Gala. PHOTO: X/BLONDIEJPG

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Dua Lipa wears the Martinloula heels. PHOTO: INSTAGRAM/DUALIPA

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Pau is Preview’s go-to fashion girl. On most days, you’ll find her with headphones on, coffee in hand, and likely dressed in an oversized blazer and floor-grazing jeans.