The Power of Fashion for Good: Kfir Gavrieli and Tieks’ Charitable Missions
Over the past 15 years, Tieks ballet flats have become a popular fashion item around the world. Founded in 2008 by Kfir Gavrieli, the Italian-made shoes are known for their comfort and flexibility, making them a perfect choice for women on the go.
Each pair of Tieks ballet flats have a unique split-sole design that allows the shoes to be folded in half and enable a maximum range of motion while maintaining durability. The shoes are made to stretch – meaning they are never too tight on your heel – and are comfortable enough for long-term wear. If that isn’t enough, Tieks come in a wide range of colors and prints, so you can find the perfect pair for any outfit.
But, what really sets shoe brand apart is their unique ethos and commitment to empowering women around the world as a means for social change. Tieks created the Gavrieli Foundation – named after their founder Kfir Gavrieli – which contributes funds to women entrepreneurs to join the broader fight against global poverty. Through the micro-loan platform Kiva, Tieks has contributed more than $10,000,000 to over 55,000 women entrepreneurs across the globe, making them the largest individual lender on the platform. These contributions help students pay tuition, women start a business, farmers purchase equipment, and families afford emergency care.
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Tieks leveraged its highly dedicated network to create personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers on the frontline. Kfir Gavrieli heard of the challenges hospitals and providers were experiencing in obtaining PPE and mobilized the Tieks community to help produce masks. To incentivize individuals to join this initiative – “Operation #SewTogether” – Tieks shared instructions and a materials list on their website and offered gift cards for every 50 masks sewn. “Operation #SewTogether” resulted in the production of more than one million masks for essential workers.
Then, in 2020, Tieks offered a $100 discount to all healthcare workers to recognize these individuals for their efforts in fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic.
In February 2022, when Ukraine was invaded by Russia, Tieks utilized its vast network to make a difference. Kfir Gavrielli came up with the idea to auction off pairs of limited-edition flats to raise money for a nonprofit that provides meals to Ukrainian refugees.
Within hours of the auction’s launch, individuals had bid thousands of dollars on Tieks’ exclusive shoes, including a few highly sought-after styles that had never been sold publicly. This increased the value and prices of the shoes, all to support a charitable cause. At the close of the four-day auction, one pair brought in $6,500, and several other pairs raised upwards of $5,000 for relief efforts. Aside from the auction, Tieks also held a raffle for a one-of-a-kind pair of shoes named “Mirage” that directly benefited refugees. Other notable pairs auctioned that are no longer available to the public are named “Toscani,” “Arabian Night,” and “Red Diamond.”
The auction raised nearly $90,000 – with some individual pairs selling for more than $6,500. Kfir Gavrieli and the rest of the Tieks team were incredibly happy with the results of the auction and the strength of the Tieks community.
So, the purchase of a pair of Tieks is not only an investment in your wardrobe but an investment in the greater good of the world.
See more from Tieks and Kfir Gavrieli here: https://jewishjournal.com/culture/special_sections/the_mensch_list/229228/well-heeled-businessman-gives-back/