In a recent Fast CoExist article about Tom's shoes, the writer pointed out flaws in the one-for-one model, suggesting instead that conscious shopper should check out Oliberté. Tom's is revolutionary in cause marketing and for-profit for-good, but right now it's just not effecting change the way it could: they are giving shoes, not skills or even jobs, to the people who need something sustainable and long-term.
Oliberté's shoes are made in Africa, with a mission to create fair jobs and contribute to the development of a thriving middle class. They partner with suppliers and factories that demonstrate respect and equity in the work place for men and women, and work to reduce their environmental impact in its manufacturing and exporting process.
And finally, the shoes are hip and sultry: shoes that a Brooklyn guy like mine would pick out anyway, and yet the back story satisfies that triple bottom line.
Give me Oliberté or give me...
Africa.
