Hail Havaianas!

I am a self proclaimed flip-flop addict and I’m not ashamed of it. Even when it was corny to wear tsinelas outside the house, I was doing it nevertheless. They are the ultimate in easy, versatile footwear fashion. Just slip them on and off. They can be worn in any kind of weather, from the scorching heat to the torrential rains. One of my best friends abroad even wears them until it starts snowing out – that’s her cue to store the flip-flops and throw on the boots.

Admittedly, I have tried and tested nearly every brand ever made, from mass-produced lines to high-end designer ones. I‘m a slipper connoisseur, if you will. But by and far, the ones that receive the highest ratings in my fashion book are from the Brazilian brand Havaianas.

Havaianas, Portuguese for Hawaiian, was aptly named after the "hang loose" island culture prevalent in Hawaii, which the designer drew inspiration from back in the ‘60s. Their 100 percent rubber formula is patented just like Coca-Cola. They are produced in a single factory in Brazil, ensuring top-notch quality control by the manufacturer. Lucky Brazilians have been sporting the line for the past few decades while the rest of the world was introduced to the brand about 10 years ago. So many Havaianas have been produced over the last 40 years that the world could be encircled 50 times if lined up from heel to toe!

Durable and extremely comfortable, they are also highly practical. A perfect blend of form and function, they look terrific without sacrificing the comfort factor. Ideal for any occasion, Havaianas are the flip-flop du jour whether they’re for the beach or the city.

There is a signature model that comes in assorted colors ranging from plain, two-toned to printed. There are even styles with buckles and elevated platform heels to embellished flats with crystals and diamonds (available exclusively at H. Stern jewelry shops abroad). A staple in celebrity closets (Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton and Kate Moss are just a few) and gracing the pages of fashion glossies, Havaianas are so well-priced that you don’t need to be a celebrity or fashionista to own a pair or two. Reasonable on your wallet and stunning on your feet, start your collection today as Havaianas are here to last!

Brought to our shores by Anne Arcenas-Gonzales and Freddy Gonzales a few years ago, it was only recently that Havaianas was formally launched in flip-flop territory, Mindanao, by its fab regional distributors, Marga Montemayor and Patricia Ang of Martish Marketing Group. An action packed weekend consisting of a press event and fashion show, hosted by Matt Lim and Veronica Scott, exhibiting the latest from Havaianas modeled by Davao’s crème de la crème, an establishment tour of Havaianas retailers and a stay at Davao’s jewel, Pearl Farm Beach Resort, was well-organized, full of good times and Havaianas-clad feet, naturally. Southern hospitality was at its finest with plenty of delicious eats at Suka At Sili and the Marco Polo Hotel, loads of dizzying drinks at Bar One and karaoke till the end. The weekend was indicative of the Havaianas brand and Brazil: relaxing, fun and full of laughter and the good life!

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Comments? E-mail me at jcantonio@gmail.com.