Mission-based footwear brand, TOMS is kicking off the first artist series of the year with Stephanie Mercado. The TOMS’ Artist Series celebrates LA-based artists who illustrate the role that self-expression plays in supporting mental health. Each of the artists in this series transformed a classic TOMS Alp by sharing a piece of their one-of-a-kind original artwork that inspired a limited-edition print.
Stephanie Mercado
Stephanie Mercado is an interdisciplinary artist born in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles. Her creative practice is a combination of trades and media, including painting, printmaking, fabric sculpture, video and design. Stephanie’s redesign of the TOMS classic style, the Alp, brings Stephanie’s original hand-painted, hand-incised, relief print collage to life by merging aspects of Mexican culture, folklore and her passion for nature.
“I am passionate about mental health because the stigmatization of self-care and the belief that one has to always act fearless, stoic, and resilient in the face of adversity is unhealthy… For me, achieving mental health is having the presence of mind to realize when something is wrong and to have the tools to adapt, overcome, and resolve an issue to ensure one’s safety. Feeling safe and connected helps one to thrive, rather than just exist in the world,” says Stephanie.
The TOMS x Stephanie Mercado Alpargata will retail for $59.95 and is available TODAY on TOMS.com When you buy TOMS, you help fund access to mental health resources for the millions of people who need them. Wear Toms, Wear GOOD. This is the first of a multi-drop artist series this year.
About: TOMS is kicking off its 2023 Artist Series celebrating LA-based artists who illustrate the important role that self expression plays in supporting mental health. TOMS kicks off the series with illustrator partner, Stephanie Mercado by printing her love for bold prints and block printing to life on the brand’s iconic Alp footwear.Â
