Havaianas: Brazilian flip-flops and global icons

Havaianas Brasil logo

They are everywhere. On the tram, on the street, at the beach. Obviously. They are omnipresent on social media too. Havaianas flip-flops have conquered everyone, women, men and even children. In summer, the feet of vacationers choose the brand made in Brazil as an accessory to wear on their feet. From the classic style to espadrilles, in fact, young and adults indiscriminately do not miss the chance to show off the new model just purchased.

Il primo modello di Havaianas prodotto nel 1962

To understand their success we must go back to the beginnings of the project. It was founded in 1962, in Brazil, with the production of the model freely inspired by the Japanese Zori sandal, whose soles are made of rice straw. The first Havaianas, however, were more comfortable than the Japanese ones, since in the last case the heel should come out about 1 cm from the shoe and the little finger would have no support. In two years, then in 1964, the brand takes off. But do not think of a landing on the feet of women and men of the show, useful to influence the choices of their fans, because to wear the beach slippers were the workers of the South American state.

Havaianas Freedom Print

There were no social networks, blogs. The photographs were analog. How, then, did the word pass? In addition to advertising campaigns, the brand had bought the iconic Volkswagen van, so popular at the time, taking the Havaianas to the country towns and selling them directly from the van. Trackshoes.

Havaianas Espadrillas

Glory also has its negative sides. In the seventies, in fact, the Brazilian slippers were starting to be copied by other companies, hoping to get the same results, thus stealing their customers. The brand has thus taken up the challenge and prepared a réclame in which it was possible to read the slogan: “Get away from the false Havaianas! The real ones do not turn out, do not stink and do not lose the ties”. In fact, on an aesthetic level, the type of shoe is not really elegant, attractive. Quality is therefore the key element to understand its philosophy. The nineties discover prints, especially with flowers. Thus the female model Havaianas Flora was born and whose pride was the Hibiscus.

Havaianas Luna Print

Today the accessories house is known all over the world. His fame is so great that he boasts collaborations with luxury fashion house, like the last one together with the shoe designer Charlotte Olympia, who has re-proposed her famous model Kitty Flats, in flip-flop version. Obviously the brand relies on bloggers and influencers to promote its products – which today see the new slim models (much more elegant), sandals and a range of sunglasses for both men and women – but of recently it has hired professional journalists, very active on social media. This is the case, for example, of Sophie Fontanel, a very chic fashion writer in the Parisian newspaper L’Obs. On her official page of Instagram Fontanel often put her outfits, accompanying them with flip-flops signed Havaianas, which sometimes combines with great evening dresses.

Havaianas Slilm blue navy

From Brazil to the rest of the planet it seems to always be summer. But not only. It seems possible to be elegant at all times, never out of place even with an accessory with a sporty cut. At least for the most audacious. In fact, for many, fashion is synonymous with risk, so why not dare every now and then, just like Fontanel? Bom verão a todos.