In July 2012, OSC Contributor Jayne Herring brought us the story of Dallas designer Sharon Blumberg. Her cleverly named CHOOZE shoe line has the mission of inspiring children to dream big and impact the world in a positive way. An artist, designer, and (most creatively) a mother of three, she designed a line of children’s shoes that embraces the powers of choice and individuality. A fun and colorful (and 100% vegan) pair from her collections will compliment each other but will never match.
"The line is constantly growing and evolving as we have grown tremendously since we launched only two years ago," Blumberg told me. She has recently added a new line of baby shoes, called WEECHOOZE to the collection. Additionally, they have added many new print combinations and have enhanced the shoes in many ways, including removable, molded, anti-microbial insoles and are now using new materials while remaining true to our vegan roots. "We introduced backpacks this Fall as well," says Blumberg, "but we only did a soft launch with 3 color ways. This summer we will be introducing the full line of CHOOZEPACKS with two-sided backpacks and lunch boxes."
The mission of CHOOZE goes even deeper and further than self-expression. Inspired by a TED talk by Salah Boukadoum, Sharon Blumberg has committed to investing CHOOZE profits inanti-poverty programs as a Good Returns Company. The investments provide training, support, education, and loans to women so they can start their own businesses and lift themselves out of extreme poverty, defined by the UN as "a denial of choices." The program is “a hand-up, not a hand-out” as Blumberg and her team passionately explain. The company has also made two yearly investments into micro finance institutions to be able to provide loans to women living in extreme poverty.
The delightful and sturdy kid- and mom-friendly CHOOZE are designed in Dallas by Blumberg and her team, and are available locally at Whole Earth Provisions Co. and Stride Rite at Preston Center. Less than a year after debuting, they are already sold in over 300 stores across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, and Puerto Rico.
To let your little one CHOOZE their style, visit http://www.choozeshoes.com/
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