Poverty Footwear Boom
While poverty tourism may not yet have taken off in Buenos Aires, poverty shopping is having no such difficulties. Former "Amazing Race" contestant Blake Mycoskie took a Buenos Aires polo vacation in January and discovered the joys of Argentina's favorite utilitarian shoe, the alpargata. So Mycoskie and his Argentine polo instructor, Alejo Nitti, founded Toms Shoes and began hawking high end versions of the usually $4 pairs for $38 (for each pair sold, another one goes to Argentina's poor). Mycoskie's company has sold 10,000 pairs and says Hollywood fans include Bono, Brad Pitt, Geena Davis, Sienna Miller, Lindsay Lohan, and Robert Downey Jr. Which might just make the shoes popular with flash folks in Buenos Aires.
Argentines seem a bit incredulous that their national shoe is finally fetching Hollywood attention. "Are you sure they're wearing them? Did you see pictures of the alpargatas?" said Ana Troncoso, the head of informal footwear products at Alpargatas S.A.I.C., which still manufactures the majority of the jute-soled model in Argentina. "Once Brad Pitt is seen in alpargatas, all Argentines are going to put them on. It's as automatic as that."
Amped-up alpargatas [AP via Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Toms Shoes [Official site]
Previously: Tango Alpha Boob Job, BA Goes Boutique, No More Smoking With Your Tango, Polo Shopping, With Much Renting of Garments
