One for One

I was first introduced to TOMS last year through my good college friends. They were obsessed with them! They even had the apparel and flags to decorate their rooms with it too. I had no idea what the big deal was with them. I mean they were super cute and looked super comfy. There were endless amounts of designs you could get on them. Then as I was looking at the website I saw their One to One Movement. For every pair of TOMS that are purchased, another pair is donated to a developing country.A year ago they had already donate over 1,000,000 shoes and the program was only 4 years old. I am proud to say that I just recently donated another pair after my purchase of my first pair of TOMS!! :) In our culture we are fortunate because we aren't struggling as much as the children in countries who can't afford shoes and their feet become badly infected with large sores and other nasty sights. This image reminds me of our culture because we give a lot. Whenever there is a large natural disaster or other epidemic it is America that is there to help whether if it's in our country or 3,000 miles away. Seeing the cute shoes spelling out the word makes me want to give even more because I want those on my feet! It was the signifier that signified to me what TOMS are all about. Of course it all has to do with economics and money. You have to pay a minimum of $44 (plus tax!) to be able to give and wear. It is all about the consumption and it is marketed a ton. The unique style of the shoes gives it identity and anyone who knows TOMS will be able to know the object and what it represents. I know whoever wears the TOMS that they helped someone in need and that is an automatic connection I make now.