*MKILETEWA HAPA NA FLORA BAHATI LYIMO DESIGNER*
Flip-flops, cheap and cheerful staples of summer wardrobes, normally cost less than $20.
What can be so special about this pair, then, which will set one shopper back a smooth $18,000?
Made by Chipkos, 'the world's most expensive flip-flops' feature hand-painted art by renowned LA-based artist, David Palmer. But other than that, they look pretty normal.
Foot art: They cost $18,000 - or at least the rainforest, hotel stay, gold emblem, presentation case and original art do;
It's what comes with the flip-flops that really pushes the price up, though.
Chipkos is run on sustainable principles and adopts 100 square feet of endangered rainforest for every pair of shoes - usually $58 - sold.
By buying the $18,000 pair, Chipkos pledges to adopt 100,000 square feet of rainforest 'for the protection and preservation of land, species and natural resources.'
The beach shoes, made from raffia, recycled rubber and EVA, also come with a private meet and greet with the artist, who is known for his bright, abstract works. Then, there is the 'two-night stay at the luxurious and eco-friendly Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills' to consider - the plush hotel has received several green credits for its sustainable building design.
The buyer will also receive a one-of-a-kind hand painted piece of art by Mr Palmer, a mahogany wood and glass display case, a certificate of authenticity and let's not forget the Chipkos carrying bag - which is, of course, eco-friendly.
You'll also receive a '6 gram hand-made solid 18 carat eco-friendly gold Chipkos emblem by Readers Fine Jewelers in Santa Monica' - though we're not sure what you would do with a gold emblem.
Norm Gershenz, Executive Director of SaveNature.Org, says the Chipkos flip-flops 'represent a unique opportunity for a philanthropist to support a major initiative to conserve endangered rainforest land in Costa Rica.'
For those discerning art lovers, these collectors' edition shoes come with some philosophical weight, too.
Art curator and editor Peter Frank says of the artist: '...like Rosenquist, Lichtenstein, and others over the past half-century who have painted the visual racket of a consumer society, Palmer manifests not so much a love-hate relationship with the modern condition of image assault as an awe at its immensity and the thoroughness of its presence in our consciousness.'
Visual racket or not, it may be up to the purchaser to decide whether the world's most expensive flip-flops are a comment on modern consumerism.
Oh, and for any potentially interested art wearers, one word of caution: $18,000 doesn't give you a choice in shoe size. The 'unique' pair of sandals are only available in a men's size 8/9.
Chipkos is run on sustainable principles and adopts 100 square feet of endangered rainforest for every pair of shoes - usually $58 - sold.
By buying the $18,000 pair, Chipkos pledges to adopt 100,000 square feet of rainforest 'for the protection and preservation of land, species and natural resources.'
The beach shoes, made from raffia, recycled rubber and EVA, also come with a private meet and greet with the artist, who is known for his bright, abstract works. Then, there is the 'two-night stay at the luxurious and eco-friendly Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills' to consider - the plush hotel has received several green credits for its sustainable building design.
The buyer will also receive a one-of-a-kind hand painted piece of art by Mr Palmer, a mahogany wood and glass display case, a certificate of authenticity and let's not forget the Chipkos carrying bag - which is, of course, eco-friendly.
Surreal: David Palmer painted the flip-flop art, his creations more often associated with colourful, wall-mounted, abstraction;
You'll also receive a '6 gram hand-made solid 18 carat eco-friendly gold Chipkos emblem by Readers Fine Jewelers in Santa Monica' - though we're not sure what you would do with a gold emblem.
Norm Gershenz, Executive Director of SaveNature.Org, says the Chipkos flip-flops 'represent a unique opportunity for a philanthropist to support a major initiative to conserve endangered rainforest land in Costa Rica.'
For those discerning art lovers, these collectors' edition shoes come with some philosophical weight, too.
Art curator and editor Peter Frank says of the artist: '...like Rosenquist, Lichtenstein, and others over the past half-century who have painted the visual racket of a consumer society, Palmer manifests not so much a love-hate relationship with the modern condition of image assault as an awe at its immensity and the thoroughness of its presence in our consciousness.'
Visual racket or not, it may be up to the purchaser to decide whether the world's most expensive flip-flops are a comment on modern consumerism.
Oh, and for any potentially interested art wearers, one word of caution: $18,000 doesn't give you a choice in shoe size. The 'unique' pair of sandals are only available in a men's size 8/9.
No comments:
Post a Comment