The Flip Flop Shop Hits Up Havaianas in Casa Rio

Havaianas are one of the top dogs in the flip flop world, and the story behind the brand is a vibrant one in equal measure. In fact, you could say it’s as colourful as the flip flops themselves!

At the Flip Flop Shop we like to get to know our brands and understand what gives them their va va voom. We adore Havaianas flip flops for their signature materials and eye-catching colours, but when you dig a little deeper then you realise that there’s so much more to love about ‘em.

To do this digging, a few weeks ago we set off on a quest for stories, adventure and flip glorious flops, to Casa Rio – home of the Havaianas’ HQ.

And what an amazingly elaborate HQ it is! Casa Rio is a villa in a gated complex on the outskirts of Madrid, surrounded by lush green trees, and other striking villas in large grounds. (You could easily imagine bumping into Cristiano Ronaldo walking along the road!) The Havaianas team were incredibly welcoming and we were privileged to have access to everything that this fabulous space has to offer.

We’re talking palm trees and hammocks, gardens and gyms, sandy floors and sunny verandas, (quick breath), a swimming pool with Havaianas lilos and high-ceilinged rooms brimming with, yes, you guessed it, flip flops. You get the idea? Everywhere we looked there were tributes to the sun, sea and sand. In other words: the good life.

Casa Rio truly embodies the ethos of Havaianas; it’s fun, lively and colourful. Offering more than just a product, Havaianas are all about the lifestyle associated with their flip flops, whether that’s hitting the beach, playing sports, or even on the catwalk (more on that in a moment). Whatever the adventure, people can do it with colourful character and the Havaianas charm.

You could play for hours on end here, and the fun and uplifting surroundings certainly put us in a relaxed and happy mood. We were more than ready to hear more about how they got here, where they started, and everything in between.

Accompanied with great food and drink, the EMEA President and marketing team explained the history of this unique brand to us. Havaianas are proud of where they came from and their humble beginnings. Back in 1962 they began by making simple, low-priced flip flops so that more people could afford to have practical and trendy footwear, fit for purpose. There was a large uptake of these flip flops in Brazil, with the working class going mad for them.

The Brazilians became big advocates and continue to be so to this day - as Eno Polo, EMEA President of Havaianas, explains, “Brazilians are very proud. If a Brazilian gives you a gift, it will most likely be a Brazilian football shirt, or a pair of Havaianas.”

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In the ‘90s celebrities caught on to the unique style of these flip flops and hot shots like David Beckham and Naomi Campbell started wearing them. Bringing them into the limelight, the general public also saw something they liked, and the demand grew to place Havaianas where they are today.

Michael Searle, UK Havaianas Sales Manager, states that an astonishing 250 million pairs of these flip flops are now sold each year! He happily describes the demand as, “the simple appreciation for high-quality, fashionable and effortlessly fun flip flops.”

These days it’s not only the likes of David Beckham and other celebs who are rocking Havaianas, but fashion designer giants want a piece of the pie too. The crème de la crème and don of the catwalk, Louis Vuitton, has been quoted saying, “Every woman should have two pairs of shoes. One pair of Louis Vuitton’s and one pair of Havaianas”.

And it’s not just Louis that endorses the colourful brand, but Limited Edition Havaianas have been created especially for other infamous fashion designers, including New York based designer Mara Hoffman, Italian fashion-house Missoni, and Italian couture designer Valentino.

In the world of fashion, Havaianas continues to offer a perfectly affordable product so the majority can afford to have practical and stylish flip flops. In other words, they’ve stayed true to their original mission. People can buy into an interesting and happening brand without breaking the bank, and, let’s face it; if the supermodels are rocking these flip flops then it’s not hard to see why they’ve become a must-have for all wardrobes. (Or shoe stands.)

While Havaianas continue to create their signature block coloured flip flops, they have also branched out with their designs, working with seasonal trends and other influences. Again, because we want a taste of what’s on the catwalk, Havaianas have this firmly in mind and won’t be failing to deliver. With some elaborate and eye-catching looks for women’s flip flops; with tribal prints, Indian ethnic patterns, and neon pop colours. Of course, vivid and daring colours will be served on a platter.