The “Walk A Mile In My Shoes” (WAMIMS) capsule collection, a collaborative effort between Christian Louboutin and long-term friends Idris and Sabrina Elba, returns for its third edition with a renewed commitment to social justice and empathy. This collection of shoes and leather goods, co-designed by Sabrina, Idris, and Christian, not only showcases innovative fashion but also serves a greater purpose. A hundred percent of the proceeds from sales will be donated to six remarkable charities worldwide: The Gathering For Justice, Elman Peace, Immediate Theatre, The Raining Season, Casa 93, and AfriKids. This initiative, inspired by the important conversation around racial tolerance following George Floyd‘s death in 2020, underscores the trio’s dedication to making a tangible impact on global social issues.
The inception of WAMIMS began with a live online discussion in 2020 involving the Elbas and Ayo Tometi, co-founder of #BlackLivesMatter, which Christian Louboutin listened to anonymously. This conversation sparked the idea of leveraging their platforms for social justice, leading to the creation of the WAMIMS initiative. Over the past two years, this collaboration has raised $2 million. The third edition aims to build on this success, focusing on long-term support for organizations that promote social equality and foster the creative development of young people in various countries, including the US, UK, France, Ghana, Somalia, and Sierra Leone.
This year’s collection is distinguished by a unique print that incorporates the WAMIMS acronym into its colorful pattern, symbolizing the initiative’s core message. The collection draws inspiration from African culture, particularly the art of braiding hair, which is used as a motif to represent self-expression and the strong bond of friendship among the designers. The braided elements are incorporated into both men’s and women’s shoes and leather goods, adding personal touches throughout. For instance, the 2002SL Low men’s sneaker features the WAMIMS print and references Idris Elba’s personal life and origins, while the Fatima 120 stiletto heel and Hibaq 55 shoe pay homage to Sabrina’s sisters.
The proceeds from the WAMIMS collection are distributed through GlobalGiving, ensuring that each of the six selected charities receives the support they need to continue their impactful work. For instance, Casa 93 in France provides free fashion education to young adults from underserved communities, with donations supporting their professional integration programs. AfriKids in Ghana focuses on keeping disadvantaged children healthy, safe, and in school, while The Raining Season in Sierra Leone offers holistic care to orphans. Elman Peace in Somalia empowers youth to transition from conflict to civilian life, and The Gathering for Justice in the US works to end child incarceration and address racial inequalities in the justice system. Immediate Theatre in the UK engages young people in creative projects to express their stories and aspirations.
In essence, the WAMIMS capsule collection is more than a fashion statement; it is a powerful call to action, encouraging empathy and social responsibility. By purchasing from this collection, consumers not only acquire beautifully designed, high-quality products but also contribute to meaningful change in communities around the world. Take a closer look at the collection in the gallery below:
OMG, can we just take a moment to appreciate the “Walk A Mile In My Shoes” collection? 🌍✨ Not only are these pieces total fashion goals with that unique WAMIMS print and the super chic braided details (total heart-eyes for the Fatima 120 stiletto heels 😍), but it’s also all for a great cause! It’s like, you get to look amazing and stand up for social justice at the same time. 100% of the proceeds go to charities helping with education, peace, and equality! It’s really inspiring to see fashion icons like Christian Louboutin and the Elbas making such a meaningful impact. Totally on my wish list! 🛍️💖
Sabrina Elba is my personal style icon! More of this please Louboutin!