AUSTIN, Texas (May 27, 2008) – Whole Foods Market, the world’s leading natural and organic foods supermarket, has teamed up with TOMS Shoes to provide children in need with a pair of shoes and shoppers with an individualized, eco-friendly pair of their own.
To celebrate the launch, Whole Foods Market will host a “Style Your Sole” event at both Austin locations on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. CST. TOMS will be available for purchase and Whole Foods Market will provide an array of decorating materials for shoppers to make them one of a kind.
Former Austin resident, Blake Mycoskie initially founded TOMS after being inspired by the traditional, rope-soled Argentine “alpargata” on a 2006 trip to Argentina. He was struck by the poverty and health issues of the country and imagined a company that would match every pair of shoes sold with a pair given to a child in need. Two years later, TOMS is giving shoes away in Argentina, South Africa, Ethiopia, and has plans for the United States. TOMS has also received notable recognition from the likes of O Magazine, Vogue, Elle, and People Magazine, and in 2007, TOMS received the coveted “Design of the Year” award from NYC’s highly respected Cooper Hewitt Museum, beating out the iPhone.
Today TOMS Shoes announced the June launch of an eco-friendly and vegan collection that will be available exclusively at Whole Foods Market.
“I wanted to find a way for more people to be able to truly understand the core of TOMS Shoes,” explained founder Blake Mycoskie. “With the launch of the eco-friendly collection and our partnership with Whole Foods Market, we will be able to reach even more people, and ultimately give more children their first pair of shoes.”
“At the stores’ Style Your Sole events, our shoppers will learn how a simple, affordable addition to their wardrobe will help a child with a basic necessity and support TOMS important practices such as fair wages, working conditions, and manufacturing,” said Elizabeth Smith, Community Relations Coordinator. “These comfortable shoes can indeed change someone’s life.”
The six style options that comprise the exclusive line of eco-friendly TOMS Shoes will be available at Whole Foods Market stores in the Whole Body department beginning in June for $49. High resolution images are available. For more details on TOMS shoes, visit www.TOMSshoes.com. For a listing of stores, visit www.wholefoodsmarket.com.
