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1962
The name Havaianas is Portuguese for Hawaiians. The first pair of Havaianas was born in 1962, based on the traditional Japanese sandal known as the Zori, whose soles are made of rice straw. The texture of Havaianas’ rubber soles are like rice grains, one of the many details that make Havaianas unmistakable.
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1964
By 1964 practically every worker in Brazil wore a pair. Traveling salesmen in their vintage Volkswagen vans would take Havaianas throughout the countrysides and cities in Brazil and sell Havaianas directly from their vans. The vans were always greeted with excitement and Havaianas were distributed in simple plastic bags.
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1966
Havaianas TRULY are the original rubber flip-flop. In 1966, Havaianas’ parent company Alpargatas registered the patent for our model— “a new type of sole with a strap”.
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1969
Havaianas were traditionally only available in blue and white. However, a production error produced a batch of green Havaianas which ended up hitting the marketplace. The reaction was so positive that Havaianas seized the opportunity and started producing brown, yellow and black pairs!
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1970
The 70’s hippie movement of love and peace helped to grow Havaianas even further as youngsters (and those more political in Brazil) joined the movements—wearing their Havaianas of course.
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1973
Would you believe that even in the 70’s people were already trying to copy Havaianas? To reinforce the premium benefits of our flip flops, Havaianas launched the slogan “Protect yourself from fony Havaianas – the real ones. They don’t lose their shape, don’t smell and the straps don’t come loose.”
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1973
Havaianas innovated its communication and launched a fun, new campaign to bring the brand to life—literally. To reinforce Havaianas’ playful image, a giant sandal over 138 feet and weighing over 4 tons was created to be used in the Havaianas TV commercials. Many different celebrities were featured in the commercial “walking” over the giant Havaianas sandal.
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1980
Havaianas officially became a fundamental part of Brazilians’ lives. By this time, millions of pairs of Havaianas were sold each year and Havaianas became a basic for all Brazilians. In fact, they were even listed by the Brazilian government in a list of fundamental products to control inflation, just like rice and beans.
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1994
Havaianas are worn by all! Between the anonymous and the famous, everyone wears them. Suddenly, Brazilians were snatching them up in multiple shades for all occasions.
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1995
Continuing its momentum in the 90’s, Havaianas launches new styles and their highly coveted printed patterns. Havaianas Floral was launched with hibiscus flowers – the first of many printed Havaianas. Collections such as Fit and Baby were created after this as well.
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1996
The 90’s were a turning point for the brand. The trend of turning the Havaianas white side downwards, leaving the colored part up, created sandals that seemed to have just one color. This was the inspiration for the launch of the Havaianas “Top” style. Initially there were only 8 different shades, now the Havaianas “Top” style is available in over 15 different colors.
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1998
In the year of 1998 was the launch of one of the best-selling Havaianas models with the most notable style: the "Brazil" model. Havaianas launched this style with the small Brazilian flag on the strip, which soon became an object of desire on an international level.
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1998
Now a prized symbol for Brazil, Havaianas begins crossing over to other countries by literally being packed into tourists suitcases. While some would take them home as gifts, others would bring them back to sell. And just like that, Havaianas organically began its international expansion.
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1999
Havaianas transcends being a household name into making its own mark in the world of high fashion. First seen on the runways of the French designer Jean Paul Gaultiers show, Havaianas soon begins working with some of the biggest and greatest brands and designers from around the world.
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1999
Havaianas rapidly spreads throughout the world and they begin being officially distributed in Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, England, USA, Dominican Republic and Japan. Nowadays, Havaianas can be found in more than 60 countries.
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2000
Between the threat of the Millennium bug and anxiety of the year 2000, Havaianas created a special model to mark the occasion. It was the first sandal that glowed in the dark.
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2001
The birth of Havaianas Special Collection further stamped Havaianas' place in the world of high end fashion. The Special Collection Havaianas feature exclusive details such as crystals and metal meshes which are hand-sewn by artisans in Northeast Brazilian. A truly a unique and sophisticated collection expertly crafted by Brazilian hands.
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2003
The Havaianas phenomenon spreads to the Philippines! Once something that was just for the beach, Havaianas soon becomes a symbol for fun, fashion and relaxation in this island country.
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2003
And the Oscar goes to... Havaianas , Which begins gifting the world’s most prestigious award show in the world by offering a pair to the nominees. There’s nothing better than slipping on a pair of Havaianas after hours in high heels and tight shoes.
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2004
Havaianas starts a partnership with the Brazilian ecologic research institute called IPÊ whose overall mission is to help the conservation of endangered species in Brazil’s natural environments–, such as the Black-Faced Lion Tamarin, the Maned Wolf and the Blue Macaw. We created a range of custom sandals of which Havaianas donates 7% of the sales directly to IPÊ.
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2004
In 2004, Havaianas partnered with the famous Brazilian jeweler H.Stern to create a special edition flip flop with an 18K-gold finish and adorned in diamonds.
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2004
Havaianas starts surfing across the Indian Ocean initially landing on the Mauritian islands. Today, they can be found at any resort in Seychelles, Mayotte and the Maldives.
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2005
Casual Fridays take on a new meaning in Brazil as students from traditional schools in São Paulo protest for the right to wear Havaianas to class. In fact, some offices even instituted Friday’s as Havaianas Day.
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2006
Arriving on the scene for the first time is a style known as Havaianas "Slim". With a thinner and more delicate strap, women everywhere immediately fall in love with this timeless addition to our collection.
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2006
In Australia, Havaianas breaks a record and enters the Guinness Book for the first time. In an annual challenge, thousands of Australians gather on the beaches of the country where they purchase lilos in the shape of Havaianas flip flops and go out to sea to form the longest line of its kind in the world!
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2007
Havaianas launches in Taiwan and while they found it impossible to pronounce Havaianas, it didn't matter—they understood it all when they slipped them on for the first time
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2007
Havaianas officially launches in the US and sets up offices in Soho, NY.
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2008
Havaianas sets up its European headquarters in Spain. Today, it also has offices in Portugal, France, England and Italy.
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2009
Havaianas partners with Conservation International to help support conservation projects in the Abrolhos archipelago. To bring the partnership to life, Havaianas creates a range of special flip flops where 7% of the sales are devoted to the organization.
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2009
Havaianas opens a Concept store on São Paulo’s most infamous shopping destination, Oscar Freire Street. Themed after a Brazilian Mercado market stand, the Flagship Store carries the entire collection of Havaianas as well as a number of exclusive styles.
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2010
While Brazilians can wear Havaianas all year round, others from different countries are not as fortunate. With that in mind, Europe launched the Havaianas Soul Collection – a range of casual sneakers and espadrilles with “Havaianas’ soul” where the rubber flip flops are transplanted into the sole of the shoes.
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2010
Havaianas partners with high-end Italian fashion brand Missoni to create a limited edition collection of flip flops and espadrilles. The partnership is highly successful and the collection immediately sell-out.
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2011
Havaianas reveals a magical new fashion collection with Disney with exclusive models featuring beloved Disney characters.