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TOMS shoes have been a huge success in just a few years since launching. Achieving ethical credentials as well as a cult celebrity customer base has made the brand increasingly popular. Now, the stylish Olsen twins and their fashion label The Row have teamed up with TOMS to create a capsule collection for the shoe brand.
TOMS was founded primarily for charitable means. When American traveller Blake Mycoskie befriended children in Argentina in 2006, he was horrified to see that many did not have any footwear. On returning home he set up TOMS and the One for One movement which provided a child in a developing country with a pair of shoes for every TOMS shoes purchased. By going barefoot, a child is more likely to contract soil-transmitted diseases and get infections from cuts and grazes on the feet. Also, children without shoes are not able to attend school because they are part of the uniform.
The collaboration with the now grown-up child-stars, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen shows just how well regarded TOMS are, both in the fashion circuit and charitable sphere. The Row was formed from the twin’s joint love of fashion in 2007, and the capsule collection for TOMS includes espadrilles made from Italian sourced wool, cashmere and leather. Touches of plaid and herringbone put a winter slant on these normally summer types of footwear.
“The giving is so immediate and transparent," explained Mary-Kate Olsen to Vogue. "Having the opportunity to be a part of something so meaningful has made the collaboration with Toms so special to everyone at The Row." The collection is available online now, and costs from £110.
TOMS are available for men, women and kids. Many ethics-conscientious celebrities are fans including Angelina Jolie who dresses her daughters, Shiloh and Zahara in TOMS. If you are feeling adventurous you can take part in the One Day Without Shoes campaign, which is exactly what it says on the tin, try going without shoes for a day to spread the TOMS message.
