15 Minutes

The Shoe Gooder
TOMS’ Blake Mycoskie sells hip espadrilles and helps needy kids

Fashion and philanthropy go hand in hand, but foot in foot? That’s the idea behind TOMS shoes, sold locally at Neiman Marcus and Sassanova. Every time someone buys one of founder Blake Mycoskie’s Argentine espadrille-inspired canvas shoes (or boots), the company sends a similar pair to a needy child. We chatted with him just as he sold and donated his millionth pair. KATHERINE BOYLE

Was it surreal to drop that millionth pair?
To reach our one-millionth milestone and to have given so many children shoes was just incredible. Four years ago, it was just me and three interns in my apartment trying to give away 1,000 shoes.

What was it about Argentine espadrilles [alpargatas] that appealed to you?
I’ve always been inspired by the men and women in the early ’80s wearing espadrilles in Europe. When I saw the alpargata was similar but more urban, it got my attention.

Are you a designer or a do-gooder?
For what we do, you can’t be one without the other. We can’t sustain the giving, which was my original motivation, without building a solid business.

Do you design all the shoes?
I have a team of designers now, but for the first two years I did all the designs. Usually the inspiration comes from my travels. I get to see interesting textiles and fashions that differ from what everyone else sees on the trend reports.

What's next for you?
Someday, I’d like to look at other needs in the Third World. But right now we’re growing so much. We came out with an espadrille wedge for women, and it was so successful that we’re doing it for holiday resort. I don’t want to be distracted from doing what we do best.