Japanese brand United Arrows & Sons have collaborated with Italian designers SearchNDesign in the making of 'The Bifida' -- a luxury sneaker that features a daring split toe. The sneakers are designed with the classic all-white facade that's dominating the shoe industry but stand out from other leather tennis shoes thanks to this unique concept. The split design was inspired by traditional Japanese socks called 'tabi' which first appeared during the Heian period, 1,200 years ago.
The shoes managed to find a balance between appealing to modern Japanese street culture, while respecting the culture from which the design was inspired. Handmade in Italy, these shoes feature designs which are indicative of both European and Japanese street style, forming a contemporary marriage between the two aesthetics.
Split-Toed Tennis Shoes
'The Bifida' Were Inspired by Traditional Japanese 'Tabi' Socks
Trend Themes
1. Split-toed Sneakers - The unique split toe design in sneakers offers a new trend in footwear innovation.
2. Luxury Streetwear - The combination of luxury and streetwear in sneaker design creates a growing trend in the fashion industry.
3. Cultural Fusion - The fusion of Japanese and European design elements in fashion reflects a growing trend of cultural exchange and global collaboration.
Industry Implications
1. Footwear - The footwear industry can capitalize on the trend of split-toed sneakers by introducing innovative designs that cater to different consumer preferences.
2. Fashion - The fashion industry can explore the trend of luxury streetwear to create unique and high-end sneaker collections that appeal to fashion-conscious consumers.
3. Design - The design industry can leverage the trend of cultural fusion to create collaborative projects that celebrate diversity and incorporate global influences in their creations.