this pair of sleek mid-top sneakers reveals facts about modern day slavery

the custom-made pair of mid-top trainers combining leather, suede and mesh, and zig-zag stitching, reveals hidden facts about modern day slavery and forced labor. an initiative by the thomson reuters foundation, the campaign aims to raise awareness of the ‘hidden human price’ of products amongst young people at a time when the issue of ethical fashion is increasingly informing consumer choices.

utilizing the popularity unboxing videos have gained among sneaker enthusiasts, the thomson reuters foundation teamed up with advertising agency tbwa and youtube influencer jacques slade on an unboxing video titled ‘the real price of sneakers’. at first glance, the shoes appear as a simple pair of modern trainers, yet on a closer look and as the unboxing evolves, various facts about modern day slavery come up. the price tag, for example, does not display the price of the shoe, but the price of a slave today, which comes at $90. what appears as a logo on the tongue tag actually refers to the 40 million people currently enslaved while the insoles include pictures of sweatshop conditions.

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: sofia lekka angelopoulou | designboom