Fad*ish- fashion and design

I first discovered Jinga sneakers in London’s Camden Market. I was in the middle of haggling a vendor, trying to get five pounds off a skirt, when I looked up and saw a bouquet of colorful sneakers. I must preface this by saying I am not the biggest sneaker wearer. So if I have to wear a sneaker, I need there to be some sort of incentive other that the fact that it is comfortable. I mean, Clarks and Birkenstock are comfy, but their often clunky styles tend to be better suited for your round the way tree hugger.

The interesting thing about Jinga is that they serve up more than just an array of colorful shoes, they also inject a dose of social responsibility. The Brazilian sneaker company not only prides itself on being fashionable, but they also donate back to their ‘block’, which in this case are the children in the Rio de Janeiro favela or shanty towns. They also win ethical points for creating sweatshop free sneakers, but I for one am more happy that 5% of their profits goes to organizations that keeps Brazils future out of gangs. For more information on Jinga check out their website at www.jingashop.com.

*It’s Jil Baby!

*Originally Published in Jil Mag: May – The Block is Hot issue; 5/22/07

Labels: Diaries of a Shoe Whore