Toms reconnects to roots
For its new Venice Collection, local lifestyle and footwear brand Toms reverted to its roots, rendering the classical alpargata slip-on in cheery spring colors. The offering is the first from creative director John Whitledge, who joined the brand late last year. “Since Toms started in [founder Blake Mycoskie’s] apartment in Venice Beach, we wanted to go back to what was authentic to us and celebrate where we came from while, at the same time, looking forward,” Whitledge said about the revamped alpargata.
The shoe style was the brand’s first product when Toms launched in 2006. In its latest iteration, the Toms alpargata can be found in textured canvas and in colors such as blush and turquoise. With the new Venice Collection, Toms continues its policy of donating a pair of shoes to someone in need each time a pair of Toms is purchased. Shoes in the Venice Collection are $49.95 and come in men’s and women’s sizes. They will be available at the Toms stores in Venice and the Americana at Brand in Glendale on Thursday and are online now. Toms, www.toms.com