It's not every day that an American fashion brand gets endorsed by the US government; and I'm not talking about Michelle Obama's various sartorial selections. In Washington there is such a thing as the Award for Corporate Excellence. Companies from around the globe including household names like Chevron and Marriott to Cisco Systems and Cummins essentially compete -- although it's a win-win situation here -- for an ACE award, which is granted "annually to U.S.-owned businesses that exhibit good corporate citizenship, promote innovation, and advance democratic principles around the world." And this year Tom's Shoes is the lucky recipient of the honor -- one presented by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton herself.

The recognition is surely a huge coup for the company, which is already having quite the fall/winter season. Tom's is fresh off a new partnership with both Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus, two department stores where Tom's is stocking a brand-new line of limited edition shoes sure to appeal to a higher-end clientele. These select shoes range in price from $78 to $125 and are fashioned from more luxurious fabrics like "metallic linens for women and silk-tie fabrics for men," says Women's Wear Daily. But, while the shoe may be a bit more chic, the charitable benefit from each pair (two shoes donated to a child in need for every two shoes purchased) remains the same.