# Split-Toed Tennis Shoes 'The Bifida' Were Inspired by Traditional Japanese 'Tabi' Socks By Ell Smith | Published 2017-08-22 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-bifida References: [design-milk](http://design-milk.com/united-arrows-sons-x-searchndesign-launch-the-bifida-sneaker/?utm_source=feedly&utm_medium=webfeeds) & [searchndesign](https://www.searchndesign.com/project/2017/6/20/search-n-design-x-united-arrows-sons) Japanese brand [United Arrows & Sons](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/united-arrows-1) have collaborated with Italian designers SearchNDesign in the making of 'The Bifida' -- a luxury sneaker that features a daring [split toe](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/buckle-strap). The sneakers are designed with the classic all-white facade that's dominating the shoe industry but stand out from other [leather tennis shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/black-tie-20) 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. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.6/10 - Popularity: 64% | Activity: 67% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion) > [Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/shoes) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Split-toed Sneakers:** The unique split toe design in sneakers offers a new trend in footwear innovation. - **Luxury Streetwear:** The combination of luxury and streetwear in sneaker design creates a growing trend in the fashion industry. - **Cultural Fusion:** The fusion of Japanese and European design elements in fashion reflects a growing trend of cultural exchange and global collaboration. ### Who This Affects Most - **Footwear:** The footwear industry can capitalize on the trend of split-toed sneakers by introducing innovative designs that cater to different consumer preferences. - **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. - **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. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Split-Toe Barefoot Sandals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vivobiome-tabi-gen-01-sandal.md) - [Athletic Tabi-Style Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fire-red-2.md) - [Split-Toe Sneaker Returns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/updated-air-rift.md) - [Ballet-Inspired Split-Toe Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/air-rift-black-swan.md) - [Fuzzy Dynamic Collaborative Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/five-finger-shoe.md) - [Split-Toe Footwear Updates](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nikeskims-air-rift-satin-pack.md) - [Second-Skin Luxury Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zero-shoe.md) - [Japanese Wrap-Inspired Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vibrams-furoshiki-kicks.md) - [Bigfoot-Inspired Bizarre Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ninlo.md)