TOMS Shoes: A Different Kind of Two For One Deal
Inspired by countless shoeless children he saw when he visited Argentina, former Amazing Race contestant Blake Mycoskie created TOMS Shoes,basing the style on the traditional light-weightArgentinean shoe called alpargatas. For every pair of TOMS sold, a pairis donated to a child in need. The shoes are personally fitted onchildren in trips the company refers to as shoe drops. In 2006, 10,000pairs were delivered to Argentine children; in 2007, 50,000 were givento South African children. This year, the company expects to donate200,000 pairs. Additionally, the Hanson brothers, Isaac, Taylor, and Zac,walked a mile with fans before each of their shows as part of their"The Walk" tour, even encouraging all to walk without shoes toexperience what it is like to live without shoes. In 2007, the companywon the People’s Design Award, sponsored by Target at the annualNational Design Awards Gala in New York City.
The shoes come in kids’ sizes 2-10 (birth – 4 years), women’s 5-11,and men’s 7-14, and range in price from $34-58, depending on size andmaterial.
- Posted on Aug 7, 08 at 12:30PM
- Permalink
- 9 Comments
August 7th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
I’ve walked with Hanson numerous times already in order to put shoes on children’s feet in Africa, and come this fall, I’ll be walking at least 3 more miles. What they’re doing is truly inspirational and I’m so glad your site is spreading the news. They deserve recognition for all of their hard work and selfless dedication.
August 7th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
What TOMS shoes is doing is truely inspirational. I am also a huge Hanson fan and have done numerous walks this past year, with 8 more this fall. Toms is a great organazation and should keep up the great work!
August 7th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
those shoes are both adorable AND do good things! does anyone know if they contain leather? the website doesn’t really answer that.
August 7th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
Thank you so much for spotlighting this wonderful product!
August 7th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
I’ve also participated in the walks. What a wonderful cause.
August 8th, 2008 at 6:49 am
I-dra, according to the website the canvas shoes have leather insoles, and the suede shoes definitely contain leather
To bad I need a weekend trip to London to buy the shoes, because they look dead comfortable and I really lika the cause.
August 8th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
That is awesome. I went to school with his brother!
August 8th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
I took the walk! Love Toms Shoes… great cause…
hanson fan forever!
September 1st, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Checkout some of the ways people have customized their Toms shoes.