India, April 9 -- Tabi shoes, with their split-toe design, are turning heads all over the fashion world. They're a little strange, a little stylish, and completely unforgettable. But behind their bold look is a rich history that goes back to 15th-century Japan. Originally, tabis were socks worn with traditional sandals. The split between the big toe and the others helped with balance and comfort. In the 1920s, a rubber sole was added to create the jika-tabi, a durable work shoe still worn in Japan today.

The transformation of tabi from functional wear to high fashion is largely credited to Belgian designer Martin Margiela. He brought the tabi to the runway in his very first show in 1988. Inspired by the original Japanese, his version had...