Brazilian Flip Flops – The invention of the century?
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I found my first pair a delight – they seemed strange at first, a bit uncomfy, alien, but after a hot week in Natal wandering around in the incredible heat they seemed to mold to my feet – I couldn’t take them off. Since then it’s been pair after pair after pair… and now I can’t live without them.
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Hunny! You dropped your sandal!
The biggest company producing “beach sandals” in Brazil is Havaianas. founded in 1962 by Scotsman Robert Fraser, it now sells over 160 million flip-flops per year. And it’s not just the Brazilians that wear them; they’re worldwide, adopted by even the nations with less than a decent bit of sunshine to show them off in.
Who would have thought that a rubber sole, two straps and a mix of colours would be one of the emerging BRIC markets successes? The company’s dedication to innovation has proved to be a winner with the foreign markets of Australia, France, USA and UK.
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Aren’t those a beauty?!
They optimise everything that’s sexy, beachy and relaxed about Brazil. Over the past 10-20 years they’ve been reinventing themselves, collaborating with designers, H.Stern and celebrities to create new designs. They even have wellies now for the discerning foreign market.
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Super Model Gisele Bundchen promoting her Flip Flops
They are worn by everyone, from the person in the Rio slum to the CEO of O Globo TV. They have no boarders and their elaborate design reflects this. They have also been copied by rival brand Ipanema, for which Gisele Bundchen has done an advertising campaign.
The long-standing favourites are from the 1998 World Cup where a little Brazilian flag was attached to the strap. Everyone had a pair; blue, green, white and yellow- colours of the Brazilian flag graced feet from here to France.
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As soon as your feet hit the beach here in Brazil first stop has to be the local supermarket to find yourself a pair. Ditch those stinky brown Reef sandals that you bought at Glastonbury Festival in 2001 and get yourself some Brazilian rubber soul.
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• Price: R$ 8 – 200
• Availability: Everywhere!
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Awesome, I love those. That reminds me of a great joke from my friend Jason in London: How do you call a Frenchman wearing sandals on the beach?…..
Well : Philippe Felop of course!