TOMS Art of Giving Gallery and Silent Auction

Of all the brands we have worked with, one of my personal favorites is shoe brand TOMS because not only do they offer stylish and comfortable shoes (have you seen their F/W 2014 and S/S 2015 collections? LOVE!), they're also making waves globally through their One for One movement, wherein every product purchased helps a person in need.

TOMS was started by American traveler Blake Mycoskie back in 2006 after befriending the locals in Argentina during his Amazing Race stint and noticed that the kids had no shoes to protect their feet. Tomorrow's Shoes = TOMS was born, and in just a short span of time they have identified global needs and created products to help address them: TOMS Eyewear (launched in 2011) helps restore sight to persons in need with every purchase of sunglasses and optical frames; TOMS Roasting Co. (launched in 2014) provides clean water to developing communities with the purchase of premium coffee; and TOMS Bags (launched in early 2015) helps provide safe births to mothers and babies in need through skilled birth attendant training and birth kits. Indeed, TOMS is in business to improve lives.

It's amazing to see how far the One for One movement has reached

This time around, TOMS has invited a few of the country's most creative young talents in the fashion, art, and design industries to design two pairs each of TOMS shoes. Named The Art of Giving Gallery, these artist and designer-customized shoes will then be displayed in TOMS’s newest store in SM Aura and auctioned off to the highest bidder, with the proceeds going to each artist's chosen charity.

The TOMS Art of Giving Gallery was launched on April 30, and here are some photos!

Invited artists Lilianna Manahan, Bambina Jacinto, and David Bonifacio with Lauren de la Cruz of TOMS

The bid card where you can write down your bids for the silent auction

TOMS's artists were chosen because of their passion for their craft, their different backgrounds, and aesthetic styles. I hope you can go visit The Art of Giving Gallery in SM Aura before May 13 so you can see this showcase of artistry with a purpose.

Creative Burst and Creative Block by Gil Ibe, made using acrylic paint and permanent markers

Bellina and Disco Toes by Nicole Whisenhunt, made using embroidered rhinestones, bugle, and sequin beads

Graphic artist Gil Ibe illustrated the two phases of a creative’s mind through intricate and out of the ordinary details on his designs while jewelry designer Nicole Whisenhunt displayed her expertise on beadwork. Both of them chose to dedicate the proceeds from their works to PAWS.

Escape by David Bonifacio, made using gel pens

Being Silly and Happy Life by Carlo Ongchangco, made using acrylic and Sharpees

Artist David Bonifacio’s pairs featured his unique and interesting use of the gel pen on canvas as he used travel and escape as his inspiration, while artist Carlo Ongchangco’s signature narrative style of art is on full display on his creations with the smiles of happy children receiving their own pair of TOMS as his inspiration. Both of them decided to support Real Life Foundation.

Streak and Merchicken by Lilianna Manahan, made using hammered brass and embroidered organza, respectively

Blue China and Full Bloom by Bambina Jacinto, made using acrylic

With her background on furniture, designer Lilianna Manahan made use of patterns and details that were taken from the tabletop creatures she has been making and translated into embroidery. She chose to give her proceeds to Fairplay for All. Meanwhile, art curator Bambina Jacinto made floral designs using blue and white china and the beauty of summer as inspirations. Proceeds from her designs will go to Cribs Foundation.

Marble-lous and Wooden Shoe by Nix Alanon, made using pens and paint

Interior designer Nix Alañon used his favorite wood and stone finishes as inspirations for his designs. The proceeds will go to Tulay ng Kabataan Foundation.

With The Art of Giving collaboration, not only does TOMS showcase the infinite design possibilities you can do with your TOMS shoes - it is also able to represent the active participation of the new generation in joining TOMS's One for One movement.

With my blogger friends Ava, Paul, Sarah, and Angela

The Gallery will be open until May 13 only, which is also the last day of the auction. Come visit the TOMS Art of Giving Gallery in TOMS's newest store in SM Aura and bid on your favorite designs, or you can also bid online!

To date, TOMS has given over 35 million new pairs of shoes, restored the sight of about 275,000 people and has provided over 67,000 weeks of safe water worldwide. In the Philippines, TOMS products are available at TOMS SM Aura, TOMS Megamall, TOMS Mall of Asia, The Give Project, Adora in Greenbelt 5, Shoe Salon, Rustan’s Department Stores and all Nothing But H2O Stores.

Disclosure: I work in PR and TOMS is one of our clients, but all opinions in this post are my own. Read my blog's complete Disclosure Policy here.