OK we’ll take it, but you have to throw in the furry dice aswell amigo !
How many of us when packing for our holidays, do the whole check list of, suncream, check, swim shorts, check, havaianas OK, I’ve got one but where’s the other one ?
In 1962, while the rest of the world was busy with more ‘serious’ matters, the shoe which has become synonymous with holidaying was born in Brazil: Havaianas, the original, 100% rubber flip-flop. Modelled on the Japanese Zori slipper, Havaianas insoles still have a textured rice pattern to this day and was named Havaianas in honour of the Hawaiian pleasure-centred approach to life.
Can you believe the evolution of this fun loving footwear came about by accident ?
A whole batch of flip-flops intended to be the brand’s
traditional blue, came out green due to a technical mishap. A
potential disaster ended up launching a new era. The new colour
was such a success that the company began making the same
flip-flop with different coloured straps in yellow, green, red and black. From then on, colour became key for Havaianas customers.
In 1998, the brand supported Brazil in the World Cup by launching a new line of flip-flops with a small Brazilian flag on the strap. Huge hopes weren’t enough to secure Brazil ultimate victory, but the huge success of the new shoe led to the Havaianas Brasil collection becoming one of the most popular, right to today.
But, the humble, footwear of choice to the Brazilian working class has created somewhat of a viva revolution in its own rights. It has evolved and spread it’s unique colourful love into espadrilles, trainers and even added a bit of Brazilian colour to the Great British Welly ! Also, its seen collaborations with such fashion glitterati as Paul & Joe, Celine and even the equally colourful Misoni.
Here are a few interesting facts about Havaianas that you might not know:
- 94% of Brazilians have or have had a pair of Havaianas. In 1963, over one thousand pairs of sandals were sold per day.
- In the 80’s, the Federal Government considered Havaianas a basic-goods basket item. Prices of these basic-goods basket items were controlled to avoid inflation.
- 18,255 employees.
- Main factory in Campina Grande, North East Brazil manufactures over 206 million pairs per year.
- 190 million pairs of flip-flops sold in 2011.
- 520,547 pairs sold per day.
- 21,689 pairs sold per hour.
- 6 pairs sold in a second.
- If a consumer wants to buy all Havaianas flip-flop models available in the market, print and colour combinations, he/she would buy 454 pairs per year.
- Since its birth, over 4 billion pairs of Havaianas have already been sold. If lined up all together, they would go around the Earth about 40 times.
- Each Portuguese owns 4 pairs of Havaianas on average.
- Each Aussie owns 5 pairs of Havaianas on average.
- Each Brazilian owns 25 pairs of Havaianas on average.
Havaianas now retails in 85 countries, with over 454 different styles available!
June 15th also marks National Flip Flop day, and as a celebration, Havaianas will be launching a limited edition 50th Flip Flop. Only 50,000 pairs have been produced worldwide, with 100% of net sales going to UNICEF to support further projects in Brazil.
The 50th Anniversary Havaianas in associate with UNICEF