Culture Craze
From Runway to Fingertips: How the Tabi Shoe Sparked a Viral Nail Art Craze
When it comes to fashion, absurdity often finds its way into glamour. The stranger it looks, the quicker it trends. And right now, the world’s latest beauty obsession is walking straight off the runway and onto people’s hands. Meet the Tabi nail, a viral manicure inspired by Maison Margiela’s famously bizarre split-toe shoe.
A cult shoe becomes a curious canvas
It started, as all viral trends do, with curiosity and a little chaos. The Tabi shoe, first designed by Maison Margiela in 1988 and rooted in Japan’s traditional split-toe socks, has always been a conversation starter. Some call it art, others call it ugly chic. Either way, it’s become a cult favourite for fashion rebels who love pushing limits, from Kim Kardashian and Bella Hadid to local stylists in Joburg and Cape Town.
Now, that same hoof-like silhouette has made a leap from feet to fingertips. Australian manicurist Molly Jones unintentionally kicked off the movement when a client asked for something “inspired by the Tabi”. Instead of laughing it off, Jones took on the challenge, crafting nails shaped and polished to resemble the iconic split toe.
How the Tabi manicure took shape
Using Aprés Gel X tips, Jones sculpted a ballerina-shaped nail with a cream French finish and a bow made of thickened gel. Then came the detail that broke the internet: a precise vertical split made with a needle-nose drill, mimicking the Tabi’s distinctive cleft. Vogue quickly picked it up, and soon the manicure world couldn’t look away; half-horror, half-hypnotised.
The technique has since been re-imagined by nail artists around the world. South African stylists have started experimenting too, mixing nude palettes with metallic finishes or subtle chrome for an editorial look that still feels wearable.
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The beauty of the bizarre
For all its weirdness, the Tabi nail taps into something bigger: fashion’s love for self-expression through extremes. As nail artist Ramon Duran notes, medium-length oval or rounded shapes give the split design space to breathe. Go short if you must, but the drama thrives on a bit of length.
Colour choice is where personality comes in. Creams, soft pinks and beige make the split pop in a minimalist way, while deep reds, blacks and navy shades turn it bold and cinematic. Add chrome or holographic touches, and it’s pure runway energy.
Why it’s trending
Part of the Tabi nail’s charm lies in its absurdity. It shouldn’t work, yet it does. The internet loves anything that walks the fine line between weird and wonderful, and this manicure fits the bill perfectly. On TikTok and Instagram, creators are sharing close-ups of their “hoof hands”, drawing millions of views and plenty of memes.
In a world where trends shift overnight, the Tabi manicure feels like a wink to fashion’s wild side, unapologetically odd, refreshingly original, and oddly… elegant.
Who needs heels when your nails already made the runway?
Also read: Zozibini Tunzi Shines in Netflix’s ‘Bad Influencer’ with Cindy Mahlangu
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: NewBeauty
