Chalk It Up As A Win — New TOMS + Keith Haring Footwear Collaboration
The legacy of New York City-based artist Keith Haring continues to grow — even 26 years after his death. Haring’s public art was first seen in the early 1980s, when the Big Apple was grappling with a crack epidemic, homicide rates were at an all-time high, prostitutes openly looked for customers in the now tourist-y Times Square, and the Bronx resembled a war zone,with empty lots that held the remains of burnt-down buildings (not to mention heaps of trash, car tires, and hypodermic needles). It was during this era, when New York City was a terrifying place and riding the subway felt like a possibly life-endangering feat, that Haring decided to bring some beauty into the world, camping out at subway stations and using chalk to draw over empty advertising spaces that had been covered up with black sheets of paper.
At the time, the notion of “street art” was still a foreign concept — although graffiti artists like Lee and Blade had spent a decade using spray paint to execute stunning and complex works of art along the exterior of subway cars, city officials (and many commuters) considered graffiti a nuisance, another element of the dirt and grime that plagued the city. What many failed to understand was that the artists behind these pieces were, whether consciously or unconsciously, making a powerful statement merely by fighting to have their names (albeit their adopted monikers) seen by the masses, by refusing to have their art limited to a specific space and instead enabling it to travel all around the city. For many, it was a way to show the world that they couldn’t be silenced, that they would not be forgotten or dismissed. For others, it was a way to communicate with the world, to share thoughts about wars, politics, police brutality, poverty, corruption, and more. Unlike his spraycan-toting peers, Haring didn’t focus on subway cars but, rather, on specific stations. And, of course, his initial medium —chalk —made him stand out from the fray. Although his drawings were had a playful vibe, they touched upon important messages. In one chalk drawing, for instance, he showcased a hand dangling a dollar bill above the masses, the latter stretching their arms out upwards but still far from being able to reach the money they so coveted. Whether he was speaking out on apartheid in South Africa, capitalist greed, homophobia, religious persecution, or the constant threat of nuclear war, Haring did so through powerful images that, however ephemeral (by nature of being made from chalk) made lasting impressions. Years later, when he began experimenting with illustrations and paintings that, in turn, propelled him to international stardom, he continued to strive to make his art accessible to the masses: he even opened up his own shop in Soho so that everyone, not just the art elite, could admire and perhaps even buy his artwork.
Given that Haring, who died from AIDS in 1990, was so keen on democratizing art, on having it spark conversation among society as a whole, on injecting beauty into public spaces for all to enjoy, it’s wonderful to see that the Keith Haring Foundation has continued to build upon these ideas, constantly collaborating with brands like Clarisonic, Obey, Reebok, Uniqlo, and more in order to create wearable or travel-ready items that celebrate his most iconic works.
The latest collaboration in this vein is the recently unveiled TOMS + Keith Haring Collection, which includes three shoe styles for women.
First, there’s the TOMS + Keith Haring Chalkboard Women’s Classic ($59 at TOMS.com), which pays homage to Haring’s subway art roots with its illustrated black-and-white uppers, which feature some of the figures and symbols that reappeared constantly in Haring’s work — among them the barking dog, the “Silence = Death” figures (which feature an “X” inside their torsos), the winged angels, the figures with holes in them (which Haring once wrote were inspired by the tragic assassination of John Lennon), and more. The shoes feature black mesh side panels that increase breathability, making the shoe all the more fitting for hot summer days, and a red trim along the collar for a perky dose of contrast. Check out the slip-on shoes below:
Next, there’s the TOMS + Keith Haring Classic ($59 at TOMS.com) which, like the Chalkboard style, features many of Haring’s most recognizable symbols and figures but, this time, showcases them in the bright colors that he used as he began experimenting with paintings and silkscreens. The striped navy-and-blue trim along the shoe’s collar, meanwhile, adds a fun nautical vibe to the Pop Art-style shoe.
Those seeking a lace-up sneaker style, meanwhile, can opt for then TOMS + Keith Haring Chalkboard Camila Highs ($89 at TOMS.com), which feature black suede uppers and Haring’s artwork printed on canvas overlays that accentuate the quarter panels and the heel counter. The black canvas overlays along the sides cleverly form a “T”shape and feature white motifs that hearken back to Haring’s chalk drawings. The vertical red canvas strip along the heel, meanwhile, infuses a bit of color into the design. A padded collar, pull-on tab, and unwaxed laces complete the high-top sneaker’s design. Check it out below:
These shoes a great way to celebrate Haring’s contributions to the art world but, moreover, they embrace Haring’s philanthropic beliefs via the TOMS “One for One” philosophy: for ever pair sold, the brand will donate a pair of shoes to a child in need.
