By Shayna Freisleben

A shoe fundraiser in collaboration with philanthropic shoe company Toms Shoes will be held at the Middle School Oct. 19.

The fundraiser, organized by Emily Wallach ’11 will allow students to purchase shoes at a discounted price prior to the event.  They can  then decorate shoes during the day or assist in designing a special edition shoe for the school.

Toms shoes are based on a traditional Argentinean slip-on. 

The company donates a new pair of shoes to impoverished children for every pair sold.
The proceeds of the Middle School event will be included in a November shoe drop of 50,000 shoes in South Africa.

“I saw an event like this as a great opportunity to combine fashion and charity, all for a cause I’m really passionate about,” Wallach said.

Wallach interned with the Santa Monica-based company this summer. 

She has been collaborating with employees at Toms Shoes and with Head of Middle School Ronnie Cazeau since August to organize her event.

Students can also compose cards that will accompany the shoes to South Africa.
According to Wallach, the organizers of the benefit aspire to sell over 500 pairs of shoes.

“Students at Harvard-Westlake are fashion forward, and really love the shoes, so this has all the makings to be a success,” Wallach said.