What trends in the marketing environment have contributed to the success of toms shoes?

[Brock]

[babybluesguy]

The trend away from traditional over-priced name brands just for the
sake of the brand.
The trend towards environmentally responsible manufacturers.
The trend towards companies that give a portion of their profits back
to poor and disadvantaged people, often in foreign countries.
Marketing directly to the target consumers (young people) via non-traditional avenues,
such as social media, other linked internet marketing, viral advertising.