TOMS Shoes - Buy One, Give One Away
by Petz Scholtus, Barcelona, Spain 
on 11.14.06
When Blake Mycoskie went to visit Argentina he discovered the typical soft shoe called Alpargata (similar to the Spanish Espadrilles) but also that a lot of children don't have shoes which leads to major health issues. Blake saw an opportunity for a business idea that 'makes life more comfortable' and returned home with exactly that: TOMS Shoes was born.
It's simple: with each pair of TOMS you buy ($38), a pair of shoes is donated to a child in Argentina on your behalf. And what's also comfortable to know is that the shoes are produced in Argentina under strict 'no sweatshop' criterias, made from local materials such as canvas and leather. Women, men and 'tiny' shoes are available (online as well as in stores across the US) in all sorts of colours and patterns as well as a limited hand painted graffiti edition by Tyler Ramsen. For the full TOMS Shoe story check out Blake Mycoskie's video clip here. ::via Springwise ::TOMS Shoes
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Wow
this is so cool
i am so happy someone is actually doing something abou thte poor kids in Africa because they matter too. And not only do you get awsome shoes but you let some other kid get a free pair too!!
THESE SHOES ARE AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:]]]
Funny, I bought a pair of Toms and they read "INDUSTRIA CHINA"...I don't think I'll be buying another. Treehugger: maybe do a little more research before being so quick to praise these shoes.
Ha ha! oh, i think that it is so GREAT that someone in this world is big enough to take a chance and try and help the little unfortunate ones. I was in the BeeHive ( a awesome store in a town near me) and they had a special shelf for these shoes and it told about how when you buy a pair, someone unfortunate will get a pair! My Mother and I thought that it was one of the most thoughtful things anyone has done lately!
So i say, Go out and buy a pair, to help the little unfortunate ones that dont have things that we do.
Just think about it......
Oh yea! and they are really comfortable!!
I agree with Ben. TOMS are not organic and do not use ato dyes or ecoleather. They use the Argentine flag for a logo and borrowed the design from the alpargata but moved manufacturing to China.
They don't even talk about their "no sweatshop credo" anymore and I can't find details about how they make sure they're not using sweatshops. Its sort of paternalistic to go around giving away free shoes when there is no social responsibility behind it. Trade not Aid!
anyone know if/where I can buy tom's in vancouver?
(In response to the comment on the sweatshops)
On their FAQ page, Tom's explains that they do make their shoes in China and other countries, but they monitor the conditions to make sure it's fair wage labor.
Trade & aid maybe?
For more information on TOMS Shoes please visit our TOMS Shoe Fans Blog. http://www.tomsshoefans.com
hi all
i think if we want to help “the POOR” [ there’s a degrading , dismissive moniker if ever there was one no?] then let’s support them via trade. THAT creates JOBS which in turn give people hope and the pride that comes from standing on their OWN feet and not simply always being the recipient of yet another form of AID from the WEST ! Trade gives people the chance to stand among nations as EQUALS unlike AID which often simply creates relationships of dependency and hey who wants that right?
to that end there are some GREAT brands being sold from places like ethiopia RIGHT HERE IN THE USA. Brands that are employing their fellow citizens , thereby improving their lives in a lasting + direct manner , while also making valuable exports that help their countries economies develop + grow.
One brand in particular that I like are soleRebels from Ethiopia. They’re produced in ethiopia by disadvantaged artisans and some disabled veterans (hence the name sole Rebels) . they’ve re-invented the traditional selate , that’s the traditional used tire sole shoe indigenous in ethiopia , in some incredible ways while operating in an IFAT [www.ifat.org] certified fair trade manner. IFAT is the only body that certifies the Fair Trade practices of companies . As I understand it to get IFAT certification is pretty hard and the company must undergo rigorous auditing to ensure they are practicing Fair Trade not just talking . the IFAT certification makes me as a consumer feel good because I KNOW with total certainty that soleRebels is a fully fair trade committed company that’s walking the talk in ALL its facets and practices .
and their shoes are hot , AUTHENTICALLY eco-friendly - they use a TON of traditional local and recycled inputs like hand spun organic cotton + recycled tires and they’re available on amazon.com [www.amazon.com] , endless.com [www.endless.com] + urbanoutfitters.com PLUS many other web sellers [just type in sole rebels on google and you’ll find them all] so you don’t even need to get off the couch to get some !
who knew- we can all be couch potatoes and still change the world! God bless America I say…..
ben
Where is the info on the entire production and supply line? The Treehugger Radio podcast doesn't once mention where the shoes are made (CHINA according to TOM's own FAQ) A risky and kitchy marketing ploy, but we won't carry their product or support their "drops" until they are willing to provide information relating to the conditions the shoes are made under or the environmental impact of the production line. As a self-appointed watchguard of greenwashing, I am heretofore turned off to Treehugger and your lack of investigative journalism. Get hard in part II or consider me a former subscriber.
Go TOMS go ...
TOMS is one of the world's first Buy One Give One companies - now it's becoming a global movement.
Buy1GIVE1 is a social enterprise helping manage this -- they can be found at Buy1GIVE1™ @ www.buy1-give1free.com
Any business now can become a Buy1GIVE1 business and do transactional giving similar to TOMS shoes with contributions starting from just 1c -- its new and amazing.
If you have a business and want to do Buy1-Give1 then these guys should be checked out
Hey Treehuggers:
I think that Tom's shoes is a great idea and doing wonderful things, but I'm with you who say that it's not Fair Trade. I have, however, found some identical shoes that are made by a cooperative around Buenos Aires. Go to http://www.theworkingworld.org, click on "Footwear" under "The Market", and you'll find the company Desde El Pie. I haven't bought them yet, but it looks like they're really well made and truly support those in need.