Far be it from us to scoff at the charitable acts of others, but does anyone else get a weird vibe from the news that Crocs is bombarding tsunami/earthquake victims in Japan with shoes that—I think we can all agree—are among the worst in the world? (Well, at least worst looking.) I mean, I guess they seem conducive, to like, moist conditions, and they are probably more sturdy than Toms, which purport to solve the shoe problems of children living in developing countries even though they can’t even withstand one summer of an American hipster’s life. What I guess it boils down to is, which need is more of a factor, Japan’s need for Crocs or Crocs’ need for good press (and to offload those hideous Crocs)?
Marjorie Skinner is the Portland Mercury's Managing Editor, author of the weekly Sold Out column chronicling the area's independent fashion and retail industry, and a frequent contributor to the film and... More by Marjorie Skinner
could Portland Mercury be anymore American and disposable?
http://www.eastoregonian.com/news/woolen-m…
Are those the shoes with holes in them? I feel like those shoes would be horrible shoes for northeastern Japan, where it is mostly cold and wet. My toes are getting frostbite/fungus just thinking about it.
Let’s allow it…Crocs float.
(Too soon?)
Don’t worry, they’re sending some leftover holes to Haiti and the Congo.
I’m sure that a lot of people lost everything but the clothes they were wearing. A week ago Microsoft was the villian for handing out cash to help disaster victims. Is positive PR so wrong that doing nothing at all is a better response?
Kudos to Pendleton and Mr Walters for pointing that out! Well done!
Did you know those shoes are edible too? Butt ugly yet weirdly practical.
Perhaps the Mercury could donate a few tons of snark and ironic disinterest to the people of Japan?
The article overlooked Croc’s most obvious motivation: in this economy and with fashion changes, demand for their products has no doubt seriously declined. Therefore, the charitable tax write-off is likely a lot more valuable than trying to off-load their shoes to discount merchandisers who have little interest in them either.
Haven’t the Japanese been through enough? Why are we making them wear Crocs?
Everyone evacuated lost their indoor shoes and bath shoes which look a lot like crocs.
#3 @BruceWang — they make lined croc for Michigan weather and the normal ones work ok for most of Portland’s wet winter.
I’m sure Japanese folks who lost everything couldn’t possibly care less what a bunch of American fashion victims think. Say what you will, Crocs are super-comfortable, practical and durable. Kudos to Crocs.
really?!
I condemn this poll.
Hmmm, free stuff is free stuff, whatever the reason, but I am concerned about the usefulness of holy shoes in northern Japan, at the end of the winter :