Sometime in 2006, I read in a fashion magazine about a new company selling shoes. But there was a catch... a good catch... every time a pair of shoes was purchased, the company would donate a pair to a child in need.
How it Started...
The founder,
Blake Mycoskie, was on the Amazing Race... random right? Well, he went to Argentina while on the show and noticed what a burden the lack of shoes were having on children (disease, death, etc). So after returning to the states, he vowed to start a company to give away shoes to those in need around the world.
The Shoe...
The shoe is based on the typical Argentinian shoe and is made of natural fiber in sweatshop free conditions. I now own 3 pair and am in need of a 4th.
My first pair were purchased at SoLa in Austin after reading about the brand in the magazine. I got an email from SoLa saying they were now carrying them... I love when brands I love reach out to me.
My second pair were purchased at the ACL Festival in 2007. They had a booth this year as well, and I hope they keep coming back. Actually, I spotted so many people (both men and women) in TOMS at the festival... it kind of blew my mind how much they've grown in such a small amount of time.
And
my most recent pair were purchased specifically for my trip to Italy last May. I will never forget running around Rome in the rain, sloshing in my TOMS. They are a trusty shoe.
The Good...
Basically, they do a shoe "drop" every year. They gave 10,000 pairs to children in Argentina, 50,000 to children in South Africa. This year they plan to drop 200,000 pairs. That... is a lot of shoes.
I think this is a good company with an original idea doing GREAT things. I wear my TOMS multiple times a week, I have a sticker on my car... it is a true
badge brand. (Oh... I also have a hat!)
So next time you're thinking about a new pair of shoes or a good gift to give this year... think about TOMS...
(Also, TOMS sends me emails about new lines, web exclusives, the shoe drops, etc. Sign up for their newsletter
here.)