TOMS shoes is a for-profit company that makes an assortment of footwear. The unique thing about the company is their premise, “one for one” — for every pair of shoes that is purchased, the company donates a similar pair to a child in need.
TOMS donates shoes to children whose families cannot afford them in 20 countries, most frequently in Mali, Peru, Guatemala, Ethiopia and South Africa. The company chooses to donate shoes, to help prevent disease and accidents that are likely for children who grow up barefoot. The style of TOMS’ most popular shoes are inspired by the traditional Argentina alpargata, a shoe with a rope sole. TOMS has been around since 2006, but have recently received a surge of popularity. What is drawing people to these strangely shaped shoes?
Oftentimes the first answer is that they look cool and also feel good to walk in. Third-year graphic design student Danae Worthy owns two pairs and has been wearing them for the past year. “I really like the way they look,” Worthy said. “They’re trendy and comfortable.” Curiously enough, she did not mention the “one for one” motto that TOMS is known for.
First-year sequential art student Lisa Vasquez also likes the TOMS look, and what they represent. “They are a little expensive for my taste, but I like that they donate a pair to someone less fortunate.”
TOMS range in price from $44 to $98, with multiple design patterns and shoe shapes. Though they are not the cheapest shoes on the planet, third-year photography student Codi Glancy looks at the purchase as an investment. “I own two pairs because they go toward a really great cause,” said Glancy. “I’m usually broke, so buying [two] pairs of shoes for the price of one isn’t that great of a deal, but it goes to children that don’t have any shoes — someone who needs them a lot more than me.”
Glancy listed the “one for one” mission statement as a reason for buying the shoes right away. Most people mentioned their look and fit as their main reason for purchasing, before the needy children, but those children are gaining from each purchase, nonetheless. As of September 2010, TOMS had donated over one million pairs. “TOMS are definitely ‘hipster’ shoes, so I’m positive some people buy them for the appeal and the cool points,” said Glancy. “But as long as they’re going towards a good cause, I guess it doesn’t matter.”