Flip-flops, cheap and cheerful staples of summer wardrobes, normally cost less $20. What can be so special about this pair, then, which will set one shopper back a smooth $18,000? Made by Chipkos, 'the world's most expensive flip-flops' feature hand-painted art by renowned LA-based artist, David Palmer. But other than that, they look pretty normal.

　　也许夏天出门随意搭配一双“人字拖”是广大的男男女女最最不费脑、最最省心、最最经济的一种选择了，然而就是这种“夏天出门必备”的鞋子都能够卖到天价，不得不让人觉得实在是匪夷所思，近日，由Chipkos出品，国际艺术大师David Palmer亲手操刀手绘画图而成的一双“艺术人字拖”竟然卖到了一万八千美元，据悉，这双拖鞋除了价钱比较特别之外，没有任何一点和普通拖鞋有所不同。



It's what comes with the flip-flops that really pushes the price up, though. Chipkos is run on sustainable principles and adopts 100 square feet of endangered rainforest for every pair of shoes - usually $58 - sold. By buying the $18,000 pair, Chipkos pledges to adopt 100,000 square feet of rainforest 'for the protection and preservation of land, species and natural resources.' 　　由品牌Chipkos在市面上销售的人字拖一直把“热带雨林”图案作为自己的常备款式，在市面上售价一般是58美元，虽然售价为一万八千美元，同样是“热带雨林”图案的人字拖与一般拖鞋并无不同之处，然而品牌Chipkos却给予了这双昂贵拖鞋一个很好的销售理由-------为了保护珍贵的热带雨林以及自然资源。 　　The beach shoes, made from raffia, recycled rubber and EVA, also come with a private meet and greet with the artist, who is known for his bright, abstract works. Then, there is the 'two-night stay at the luxurious and eco-friendly Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills' to consider - the plush hotel has received several green credits for its sustainable building design.

　　据悉，拖鞋的材料有：拉菲亚树叶之纤维、再生橡胶和醋酸乙烯酯共聚物构成，当然，作为“定睛之笔”，艺术家David Palmer的亲手手绘贡献自然是少不了的了。知道么？艺术家David Palmer作画的“画室”并不简单，他在位于比佛利山庄超级豪华的 Montage酒店“埋头苦干”待了整整两日才最终让天价拖鞋真正大功告成，天价拖鞋成本中自然也包括艺术家作画的“房费”了。

The buyer will also receive a one-of-a-kind hand painted piece of art by Mr Palmer, a mahogany wood and glass display case, a certificate of authenticity and let's not forget the Chipkos carrying bag - which is, of course, eco-friendly. 　　据悉，能幸运拥有这双拖鞋的买主还可以额外获得由于艺术家Mr Palmer制作的，独一无二的，由桃花心木与玻璃制成的艺术品，以及一个艺术品的官方证明。当然了，也少不了品牌Chipkos赠送的环保手袋一个。 　　Art curator and editor Peter Frank says of the artist: '...like Rosenquist, Lichtenstein, and others over the past half-century who have painted the visual racket of a consumer society, Palmer manifests not so much a love-hate relationship with the modern condition of image assault as an awe at its immensity and the thoroughness of its presence in our consciousness.' 　　艺术馆长Peter Frank说：“艺术大师Palmer也和半个世纪依赖的诸多大师一样为现实主义贡献自己的力量，然而Palmer大师并没有对现代艺术品表现出过度的喜欢或者厌恶，他只是在做他自己的工作而已。” 　　Visual racket or not, it may be up to the purchaser to decide whether the world's most expensive flip-flops are a comment on modern consumerism. Oh, and for any potentially interested art wearers, one word of caution: $18,000 doesn't give you a choice in shoe size. The 'unique' pair of sandals are only available in a men's size 8/9.

　　究竟是否符合这个天价价格，还是得消费者来说的算的事情。然而，可惜的是，这双鞋并没有尺码可以选择，码数为男子版的 8/9码，仅此一双。看来，尽管花得起钱消费，还不一定穿得上，消费者怎么说还不一定是上帝呢。