Not only will these sandals transform infinitely with your choice of straps looping through holes on the soles, but they're also helping young women of Uganda move ahead in the world. Sseko Designs hires a group of graduates for the customary Ugandan 9-month break between secondary school and university. This allows them to earn the funds to learn more, so they can stop making sandals, and go on to become doctors, lawyers, politicians, designers.... as infinitely many choices as there are ways to wear the shoes.

Two dudes who happen to be experts at snowboard boots and wetsuits, put their knowledge into superior sandal making. Oh, and for every pair they sell, they provide one impoverished individual with clean drinking water for an entire year.

Elizabeth Olsen (nope, different one. Niether MK&A nor James related) makes 100% vegan shoes that look refreshingly not "vegan". She uses the word in its basic form - to convey its animal-free mentality. Not in that typically crunchy way.

As you can see by the diagram above, these sandals are thoughtfully developed for your comfort. They also save 100 square feet of rainforest for every pair you purchase.

Like the Sseko sandals, these too transform infinitely, only with a wedge. They also work with a non-profit social enterprise in India, Jhoole, which garners women fair wages to make the straps that string the sandals together. They can, in turn, send their children to school, and raise communities out of poverty.

Elizabeth Olsen decided at a young age that animal cruelty was something she was not going to take. She first became a vegetarian, followed by a vegan and has been an advocate for animal rights for more than 20 years. She ultimately decided to turn her beliefs into a creative force, and the Olsenhaus brand was born.

Originally a southerner, Olsen attended art school in the South and design school in New York. She worked on the East Coast as a designer for Nine West, Calvin Klein and Bulga in addition to being the Creative Director at Tommy Hilfiger. She worked as a stylist on the West Coast on print ads, commercials and films. But her most impressive work is her vegan, cruelty-free shoe line Olsenhaus. Not only are they environmentally friendly, but the designs are the most creative and hip I have seen in awhile. From electric blue ultra suede boots with silver paint splatters to chunky black and silver platform heels, her collections have something for everyone to look good, and feel good, wearing.

Thanks to Olsenhaus.com for the info and photos! Make sure to check out the spring ’09 lookbook on the site.