http://www.oliberte.com/shoes/

Quote :

"“At Oliberté, we believe Africa can compete on a global scale,” he says, “but it needs a chance. It doesn’t need handouts or a hand up. It needs people to start shaking hands and companies to start making deals to work in these countries.” Oliberté shoes are stitched and assembled in Ethiopia with leather sourced from local free-range cows, sheep, and goats—the default in a country with many herders whose livelihoods depend upon ranging wherever grass may be. The livestock haven’t been injected with hormones to speed their growth, a common practice in other parts of the world. The result is a light, limber, yet sturdy upper. The shoes feature crepe rubber soles made from natural rubber processed in Liberia and lined with soft, breathable goat leather. This spring, the company will expand its line to offer leather bags and accessories, some of which will be sourced in Kenya and made in Zambia. It produces woven labels and other branding materials in the African island nation Mauritius."

These are some fairly high-end shoes, costing more than $100 per pair: http://www.good.is/post/how-oliberte-the-anti-toms-makes-shoes-and-jobs-in-africa/

1/20/2012 1:00:17 AM

blood shoes

1/20/2012 1:51:52 AM

moar liek "blood, sweat, and tears" shoes amirite

1/20/2012 2:11:20 AM

free range leather, eh

1/20/2012 7:27:21 AM

I like them

I don't $150 like them but they're cool

1/20/2012 8:37:56 AM

AIDS shoes

1/20/2012 8:52:48 AM

so (for the most part) the are more expensive versions of Clark Wallabees?

1/20/2012 8:54:22 AM

Quote :

"I don't $150 like them but they're cool"

1/20/2012 8:55:19 AM

Quote :

"Oliberté shoes are stitched and assembled in Ethiopia with leather sourced from local free-range cows, sheep, and goats—the default in a country with many herders whose livelihoods depend upon ranging wherever grass may be. The livestock haven’t been injected with hormones to speed their growth, a common practice in other parts of the world. The result is a light, limber, yet sturdy upper. "

they really know how to advertize towards dumbass hippies. "we can't afford the fences and hormones used by farmers in countries without starvation problems, and that somehow makes our shoes superior."

1/20/2012 9:00:14 AM

Quote :

"they really know how to advertize towards dumbass hippies."

1/20/2012 9:01:26 AM

they really know how to advertize towards dumbass hippies. hipsters.

Hippies would wear vegan shoes.

1/20/2012 9:07:57 AM

highly appropriate and relevant link in sidebar

People Are Awesome: California Principal Selling Entire 350-Pair Shoe Collection to Save Teaching Jobs
http://www.good.is/post/people-are-awesome-california-principal-selling-entire-350-pair-shoe-collection-to-save-teaching-jobs/

1/20/2012 11:44:58 AM

maybe the problem is that principals in California are being paid enough that they can afford to buy enough high end shoes such that if sold second hand, the proceeds could save teaching jobs.

1/20/2012 11:47:54 AM

jesus

1/20/2012 11:53:59 AM

^^ hahaha

Although I guess she could also have a sugar daddy.

[Edited on January 20, 2012 at 11:55 AM. Reason : a]

1/20/2012 11:55:01 AM

^^^exactly

1/20/2012 11:55:31 AM

Trust me the Nike's you buy at the store are also "Hand Made", just by children in china instead of Ethopia. As are the shoes you buy in walmart.

Even the expensive "Italian"/"English" shoes are likely to have most of the work done by cheap immigrant labor, overseen by possibly one cobbler.

In short, same as everything else, buy what fits and whats in style.

Ohh yea, buy american.

[Edited on January 20, 2012 at 12:18 PM. Reason : dd]

1/20/2012 12:16:05 PM