TSMC employees can now buy company-branded shoes modelled by CEO C.C. Wei, or a chip-themed rice cooker with a 'wafer-shaped steaming plate'

It's not often that hardware news interacts with fashion, but I'm happy to oblige. According to the China Times News Network, TSMC employees can now pick up one of six "self-funded gifts" [via machine translation] from their company—including a pair of TSMC-branded shoes modelled by CEO C.C. Wei at last year's company sports meet.

Yep, those are some snazzy kicks. The shoes (along with the rest of the items) are said to be priced at NT$2,200, which equates to around $70. If you're a TSMC employee with an already-overflowing wardrobe, other options include an excellent-sounding "TSMC co-branded Tatung rice cooker."

Said cooking implement will apparently have a mirrored silver TSMC logo on the lid, and a circuit-themed design. It's also got a "wafer-shaped steaming plate", which sounds like a good way of showing the world how seriously you take your current employment. Or, y'know, it's all in good fun.

Apparently, TSMC-branded, employee-exclusive merchandise has quite the resale value, as each is produced in a limited run and therefore becomes very collectable.

However, the TSMC Welfare Committee has reiterated on its website that the items are for personal use only, and are prohibited from resale, gifting to non-employees, or use for commercial purposes.

Still, those who partake in the offer will be doing a good deed, as a portion of the proceeds will go to the TSMC Charity Foundation. The announcement has apparently caused quite the stir among TSMC workers, who are said to be eager to get their hands on the merchandise.

I'll be honest, I understand this completely. PC Gamer-themed shoes? Yep, I'd snap up a pair in a heartbeat. And as for the rice cooker? Forget about it.