The Journey is the Destination
A global artist and visionary, Dan Eldon’s safari-inspired works adorn the Summer collection of TOMS shoes.
by Rachel Sokol
A lover of anything safari, London-born Dan Eldon relocated to Nairobi, Kenya at a young age, sparking his intense fascination with the people of Africa and the African landscape.
A professional photojournalist and artist, Dan has filled more than 15 journals with drawings, writings, and photographs, emphasizing his love of painted faces, vivid colors, and even elephants. He was one of the youngest photojournalists to ever work for Reuters news agency and promised a future that shone brighter than the artworks he created. Sadly, in 1993, Dan’s personal safari came to an abrupt, unexpected end. Along with three friends while on assignment, he was beaten to death by a mob of citizens who were reacting to a United Nations bombing in Somalia. He was only 22 years old.
Flash forward almost 20 years later. Entrepreneur, Texas native and former “The Amazing Race” contestant Blake Mycoskie launches TOMS in 2006, a company that sells lightweight shoes inspired by an Argentinian design concept. With every pair sold, TOMS donates a new pair of shoes to a child in need.
Seeking a new design concept for his Spring and Summer shoe collection, Blake researched the inspirations of Dan Eldon, an artist he didn’t know much about at the time. Dan Eldon was dedicated to raising awareness about the famine and civil unrest—and Blake found himself drawn to Eldon’s passion and visions.
“About a year ago, en route to Costa Rica, I pored over Dan’s journal collection on the plane. It struck me that the TOMS community should know Dan’s story and that his life and journals would be a great inspiration for a future collection,” recalls Mycoskie in an exclusive interview. “His vivid collages chronicle a child’s journey into manhood, a lifelong struggle with the forces of good and evil, and Dan’s enduring belief that every individual has a creative spark within that can ignite positive change in our world.”
Blake is proud to announce that his own vision has finally become a reality, and Dan’s spirit lives on through TOMS.
TOMS Spring and Summer shoe collection were inspired by the work of Dan Eldon’s journals, which he began creating at the tender age of 14. “This is the first time direct inspiration—Dan’s journals and his safari approach to life—is reflected in an entire collection,” says Blake. Safari tones and patterns are showcased on the shoes themselves, and some styles even feature direct prints of Dan’s artwork on canvas. These include his passport thumbprint, colorful faces, elephant drawings, and his famous motto: The Journey is the Destination.
Blake and his design team immersed themselves in Dan’s work, building a room covered in his art, and even listening to his favorite music as they created the design line. The Spring shoes even contain a special hang-tag that outlines Dan’s personal journey.
All proceeds received by the family of Dan Eldon support the Dan Eldon Project/Creative Visions Foundation, which informs, inspires and empowers “creative activists” like Dan to find solutions to local and global issues.
“Dan was an unstoppable spirit trying to make a change in the world, which he is doing to this day. I admire Dan’s passion for his work and hope to inspire more people to pursue their own passions and dreams to become a creative activist like Dan—transforming your bold ideas into positive action,” says Blake. “Not only do I relate to Dan, but I see his inspiration in a lot of our community, who desperately want to make a positive impact on the world.”
TOMS shoes are made of canvas or cotton fabric and currently manufactured in various styles. The soles are constructed of rubber, and vegan-friendly styles are also available.
To learn more about Dan Eldon, visit daneldon.com. To learn more about TOMS, visit toms.com.
