Style Seen Daily friend and Toms Shoes CEO and Founder Blake Mycoskie. We heart you Blake! xo

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Watch my interview with Blake here from when he FIRST launched his amazing company.

TOMS Launched New Line of Shoes Inspired by Social Activism

A true visionary, TOMS Creator Blake Mycoskie makes the world a better place with his fashion. Photo Credit: Steve Garcia

TOMS, the shoe brand known for its One for One motto, launched its new line of footwear inspired by the late social activist Dan Eldon. Both TOMS and Eldon’s stories are incredible which is why it makes sense the worlds have collided. TOMS, which is based in LA, manufactures shoes with a purpose; for each pair of shoes purchased, a pair of shoes is given to a child in need in countries in South America, Africa, and even parts of the U.S. This launch party, held at their new gallery space at Space 15 Twenty in Hollywood was an event filled with great food, celebrities, inspirational speakers, and of course, shoes.

A pregnant Selma Blair got her hands dirty for a good cause with her boyfriend, fashion designer Jason Bleick. Photo Credit: Steve Garcia

Actor David Arquette, TV chef Curtis Stone, and actress Selma Blair were among Hollywood’s hottest to attend the event that featured amazing food catered by LA’s famous Umami Burger.

A pregnant Selma Blair got her hands dirty to support the company with boyfriend Jason Bleick. Photo Credit: Steven Garcia

Dan Eldon’s mother Kathy and sister Ann spoke about the inspirational life Dan lived and the way his life has impacted so many people and will continue to do so.

Dan Eldon's sister Amy and mother Kathy, spoke to honor their beloved brother and son. Photo Credit: Steven Garcia

Dan Eldon was a social activist and photographer in the 1990′s, he was brutally stoned to death at age 23 while shooting meaningful photos in a dangerous city in Africa. This new TOMS line features shoes inspired by Africa, Dan’s photographs, and his journal that kept amazing stories about his journey.

Dan Eldon's incredible life and vision produced multiple books all revolving around the thought that the journey is the destination. Photo Credit: Steven Garcia

Eldon and his family’s story is inspirational, and will soon be turned into a movie starring Julia Roberts playing Dan’s mother Kathy Eldon.

TOMS Founder and Kathy Eldon in front of the wall of handprints. Photo Credit: Steven Garcia

TOMS creator and friend of SSD, Blake Mycoskie, spoke about his new Spring 2011 collection and the amazing feats this fashion line completes each day.

Dan Eldon's finger print was a common theme throughout the night and was used as a print for a shoe design. Photo Credit: Steven Garcia

A few hours before the event, my Aunt Joanne Marien, who attended the event with me, found out her non-profit organization Good For Kids, which benefits children in Costa Rica, will now be receiving shipments of 17,000 TOMS shoes for the children. She was thrilled to talk to Blake and thank him for everything he has done to help the world’s children.

Joanne Marien's charity Good For Kids in Costa Rica will now be one of the TOMS drop sites for shoes for children in need. Photo Credit: SSD

Umami, known for it’s gourmet burgers, had passed platters of several types of juicy sliders, sweet potato fries, french fries, smushed potatoes, and my favorite, cheese tots. The food was a hit and so was the Ultimate Vodka drinks and music spun by DJ Egon.

Umami Burger passed around sliders like their delicious Box Burger and SoCal Burger. Photo Credit: Steven Garcia

To find out more about TOMS new Spring 2011 Collection, and to make a difference in a child’s life, visit www.TOMSshoes.com.

With Hanukkah underway, the necessary giving of host gifts for holiday parties and then the usual shopping we all do this time of year, we thought we would share some great gifts that give something more than just to the recipient you have on your list, give a gift that gives back.  We have put together some great gift ideas for anyone on your list — from the fashionista, wino, chef, lover, neighbor, teenager and yes even you!  So read on for our Style Seen Daily top picks for holiday gifts that give twice (or more):

For The Feet

TOM'S Vegan Women's Boots

TOM’S Shoes for Him & Her, Ash Vegan Wrap Boots For Her 98.00 & Black Canvas Classics For Him $44.00. Giving soles that have soul, “Canvas for a Cause”

For each pair you buy, Toms donates a free pair of shoes to a child in need.

For The Lips

This plaid special edition makeup bag by M.A.C. comes with a great on everyone shade of nude lipstick and matching gloss. 100% of your purchase goes to the MAC AIDS fund, which is helping fight the disease worldwide. 

Viva Glam Lip Bag, $36.

For Water

Swell Bottle

Swell bottles merge style and function with environmental and social consciousness. They have been designed to fit ergonomically into your hand, bag and car cup holder. An estimated 50 billion plastic bottles of water are consumed each year in the US and over 200 billion bottles globally, less than 20% of these plastic, disposable water bottles are recycled. Water is essential, but one billion people, one sixth of the world’s population, do not have safe access to it. For every S’well bottle sold, 10% percent of the proceeds are donated to WaterAid, a non-profit organization that for the past 30 years has been working to deliver water solutions to world’s poorest communities. Every bottle sold provides almost a year supply of water for someone in need, and every five bottles sold provides a lifetime supply. The S’well Bottle keeps Cold Items Cold and Hot Items Hot too. Retail Price is $40.00.

For the Christmas Tree

Padma Lakshmi, of Top Chef & HSN Care, purchase this 2010 Heart Ornament for $29.90. Padma designed this handcrafted and mouth blown ornament made with Swarovski® Elements combines Old World flavor with a touch of nature, and is celebrating the charitable meaning of the season by giving proceeds to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®.  This is a HSN Exclusive.

For Drinking & Holiday Toasts

ONEHOPE Wine

ONEHOPE offers award-winning wine with profits going to specific charities depending on the type, I’m personally a Pinot Noir Gal so I went for the 2009 ONEHOPE Arroyo Seco Reserve Pinot Noir which supports Children’s Hospitals for $23.99. $4.00 goes to the hospital and $2.40 goes to the charity of YOUR choice. Maybe you’re a Chardonnay person though, in that case 50% of your purchase benefits the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Wines are between $19 and $24.

For Dessert

Cookies For Kids Cancer, one package of gourmet cookies wrapped in a green bow, $30, proceeds go to Pediatric Cancer Research.

For The Shower

Aveda’s all-in-one package that comes with two of their best-sellers: Smooth Infusion shampoo and the style-prep smoother. Partial proceeds go to saving the Colombian Rainforest, $51.

For His & Her Bottoms

PACT’s undies come in a variety of cool colors and designs. They’re ethically made, come in biodegradable packaging, and 10 percent of your purchase goes to one of PACT’s environmental nonprofits. $60 to $66 for women’s or men’s 3-packs.

For Carrying

FEED Guatemala 3 Large Ikat Tote: Flex your green muscle by slinging one of these FEED bags over your shoulder. Not only are they stylish, but these versatile tote bags are handmade by Nest, a nonprofit organization that empowers female artisans around the globe. Made with traditional Guatemalan Ikat fabrics, they are perfect for everyday use. $39 at Lord & Taylor.

For Your Neck

Braille Hug & Kiss sterling silver Braille necklace. The characters read “hug” and “kiss.” Portion of sales donated to the American Foundation for the Blind. $140.

For The Skin

AKMD Sweet Dreams Holiday Gift Set, A rejuvenating nighttime skincare kit, proceeds go to Operation Smile, which fixes children’s cleft lips and cleft palates around the world. $74.

For Listening

Beats Solo Special Edition HD On-Ear Headphones, feel good while rocking out knowing proceeds go to (PRODUCT)RED, the Global Fund to fight AIDS in Africa, these headphones also keep outside noises unheard, have playback control for iPods as well as hands free talking for iPhones, and they’re compact. They fold up entirely. $229.

For The Chef

A hand-carved salad server and apron set supports a unique cross-border initiative supporting families in both Rwanda and Kenya. From the Rwandan Virunga Artisan Cooperative, a community of refugees who’ve devoted their livelihood to gorilla conservation programs, comes the salad servers (embellished with the group’s gorilla insignia). The block-printed apron is the work of the Bombolu Workshop in Kenya, where adults disabled by the recent violence are helping support their local economy. This gift supports the two efforts and the strides they’ve made by working together. Salad server and apron set priced at $38.

Friday, September 10th fashion’s biggest party will be back in New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, and all over the globe.  And we here at Style Seen Daily are on Fashion’s Night Out countdown.  With so many events going on at the same time, it’s hard to figure out which one should you go to.  We break it down for you here so you make the most of this shopping extravaganza.  3…2…1.

This year the event got off to a strong start in NYC a few days early on Tuesday by featuring the largest fashion show in history. Fashion’s Night Out: The Show, created by Vogue and slated to air next week, Sept. 14th, featured over 200 models wearing clothes, based on Fall 2010 trends, selected by Vogue editors. This blockbuster event, which took place in the Lincoln Center brought in over 1,500 guests, including Blake Lively and Roger Federer (pictured above with Vogue Editor In Chief Anna Wintour). This show is just the beginning to the entire fun, fashionable event, read on to find out how you can get involved.

New York Breakdown:  With Mercedes- Benz NYC Fashion Week just around the corner, Fashion’s Night Out will definitely get NYC fashionistas into the fashion zone. Almost 1,000 retailers are taking part in the late-night shopping spree from stores like Victoria’s Secret to Barneys New York.

Barneys will host a karoake contest judged by Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen, Simon Doonan, and Proenza Schouler duo Jack McCollough & Lazaro Hernandez. Some stores will even debut limited-edition merchandise for Fashion’s Night Out.

Bergdorf Goodman will introduce  TOMs Shoes decorated with the NYC skyline and 4,000 limited edition VitaminWater Zero bottles.

Models prepare for 2010 Fashion's Night Out in New York City. Photo Credit: Style Frizz.

Carolina Herrera will also be celebrating the 10th anniversary of her Madison Avenue flagship and her recent acknowlegment as Spring/ Summer 2011 ‘Mercedes-Benz Presents’ Designer during Fashion’s Night Out. At the flagship store, from 6 p.m. – 10 p.m., there will be a photo opportunity for fans to take pictures with Herrera in a classic Mercedes-Benz in a limited edition comic foreground.

Iconic photographer Mick Rock gives John Varvatos customers an opportunity to have their portrait taken by him during Fashion's Night Out in NYC.

Also in NYC this Friday, legendary music photographer Mick Rock will give fans a chance to have their portrait taken by him from 7 p.m.- 10 p.m.. John Varvatos’ customers who spend $300 or more at the Spring Street Store will have their picture take in honor of Fashion’s Night Out.

No fashion event would be complete without a red carpet and the Frédéric Fekkai Salon at Henri Bendel on Fifth Avenue is supplying Fashion’s Night Out attendees with their very own red carpet experience. Fashionistas will be able to choose from five award-winning Marchesa looks and then have their look styled by the Frédéric Fekkai team. Olivia Palermo of ‘The Hills’ will be on the ‘red carpet’ styling the guests and teaching them how to pose for the paparazzi. All proceeds from this event, which spans from 6 p.m.- 9 p.m., will be donated to Fashion’s Night Out’s official charity, New York City AIDS Fund in the New York Community Trust.

Supermodel Heidi Klum in clothing from her 'Loved by Heidi Klum' line for Motherhood Maternity. Photo Credit: People Style Watch.

Victoria’s Secret will also be keeping nine stores in the NYC area open late on September 10th. At the Soho store from 7 p.m.- 10 p.m., Victoria’s Secret Angels Adriana Lima, Chanel Iman, and Doutzen Kroes will all be in attendance to sign autographs for customers. Any fans that can’t make it to the in-store signing will be able to ask the VS Bombshells questions via UStream to discuss fall trends. Former Angel Heidi Klum will be hosting her own Fashion’s Night Out event to celebrate maternity fashion through the decades. At Destination Maternity on 57th Street customers will be able to enjoy a display of maternity clothes from the 1950s to present day, including some of Klum’s collections for A Pea in a Pod and Motherhood Maternity.

Moods of Norway is hosting a complimentary BBQ at their Roberston Blvd. store on Friday, September 10th for all LA Fashion's Night Out attendees.

There is also no short supply of Fashion’s Night Out events happening in cities like Los Angeles and Chicago.

Los Angeles Update: In Los Angeles on Friday, Moods of Norway will be highlighting new fall merchandise at their store located on 113 S. Robertson Blvd. Moods of Norway designs have recently been spotted on the red carpet at the 2010 Teen Choice Awards – Ian Harding in Moods Of Norway At Teen Choice Awards and even on stage at the EMMYs- Bold and Beautiful Star Zack Conroy Sets The Mood With Fashion At The Daytime EMMYs , but this event will bring the brand directly to customers and fans. During the extended hours there will be complimentary curbside BBQ, drinks, and music. Customers will even have the chance to ‘Spin the Wheel’ for discounts, freebies, and fun surprises. Meet the Moods of Norway designers through a Style Seen Daily interview here-One on One with Moods Of Norway Designers

Tell them Style Seen Daily sent you!

Find more happenings in Los Angeles for Fashion’s Night Out at  Southern California This Friday: This year, a busy Fashion’s Night Out

2010 Chicago Fashion Incubators Designers prepare for Fashion's Night Out at Macy's on State Street. Photo Credit: Smashdarling.com.

Chicago Update: In Chicago, the Macy’s on State Street will host a book signing with Vicki Gunvalson, of ‘The Real Housewives of Orange County’ for customers that spend over $75. Also, Chicago-based designers and designers from Chicago’s Fashion Incubator will have their collections front and center in the Macy’s windows. At the Nordstrom on Michigan Ave., one lucky Nordstrom shopper will win a suit autographed by Michael Bublé and a $2,500 shopping spree. Even if you don’t take home the big prize, there are still exclusive collections available from TOMs Shoes, William Rast, and Burberry cosmetics, just to name a few.  SSD had the chance to meet Michael Buble at the Santa Monica Place Nordstrom Opening Gala on August 25, 2010 — Crystal Cam EXCLUSIVE: Style Seen Daily HAUTEness: Michael Buble At The New Santa Monica Place Nordstrom

As Fashion’s Night Out comes to a end, Mercedes- Benz Spring/Summer 2011 Fashion Week will just be getting underway with events hosted by Frèdèric Fekkai and Revlon beginning Saturday, September 11th.

For more info on Fashion’s Night Out events visit www.fashionsnightout.com and if you’re looking for shopping ideas for fall, then head to this Style Seen Daily post to our picks for fall’s top trends- Fall into Autumn Right With These Five Picks

Following an overwhelming success in 2009- check out Style Seen Daily’s coverage here, 2010′s Fashion’s Night Out,  is spear headed by Vogue Magazine. Vogue Editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour made a recent appearance on Jimmy Fallon with designer Marc Jacobs to spread the word about this year’s Fashion’s Night Out. Anna Wintour And Marc Jacobs Stay Up Late For Jimmy

The official Fashions Night Out Shirt, Available at the Phillip Lim Store on Robertson Blvd in LA. CA. Photo by Norman Jean Roy.

Thursday, September 10, 2009: Vogue and the Council of Fashion and Design are hosting Fashion’s Night Out, a global event urging consumers to shop to save the economy and the fashion industry.  It also kicks off the first day of New York Fashion Week.  If you are in New York, stores will be hosting events and having huge sales all over the city.  And here on the other side of the coast, Los Angeles is also stepping up.  And we have some major tips on where you might want to consider shopping at to take advantage of the H-U-G-E discounts (we’re talking up to 75% off) and limited edition finds…

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