Many SNT readers will be aware of TOMS; popularly known as the footwear brand that gives one pair of shoes to a child in poverty, for every pair bought. However, I was very excited to recently discover that TOMS have now launched an eyewear range that with every purchase, promises life-changing surgery, treatment or corrective glasses for someone who needs it in Nepal, Tibet or Cambodia.
Impaired vision or blindness is an issue that’s very close to my heart. As a child I had a number of eye operations and doctors I’ve seen since have commented on how lucky I am to not only have vision in the eye that had surgery, but to see as well as I do (I only use glasses for long days at my desk). TOMS estimate that eighteen million children around the world suffer from blindness or impaired vision. Being able to see properly gives access to education and work and impairment keeps people in poverty. I genuinely count my lucky stars every day.
TOMS was established in 2006 by founder Blake Mycoskie. While initially they were all about the shoes (and by September 2010, they had given away one million shoes in 30 countries), Blake and his team quickly discovered the power of the ‘One-for-One’ concept. And thus, the Eyewear brand was born.
And the cherry on top of the TOMS Eyewear cake is that the range is absolutely brilliant. I’m rather taken with the classic aviator shape (Kathmandu, £125) however there’s also summer coloured wayfarer-styles (like the yellow ones above, £110) and over-sized styles too (above is Kinshasa, £110). I really like the nice design touches too that communicate the One to One proposition:
TOMS Eyewear is available via the TOMS site and in Selfridges too.To find out more about TOMS eyewear, click here.
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