Post-Copenhagen Fashion Week, the newest Havaianas have garnered a buzz for their eclectic new look as the industry embraces the funk
As the industry moves from idolizing the “clean girl” to embracing the “weird girl,” the pursuit of individual style once again emerges in the question of what draws the most attention — and it might just be the newest Havaianas’ kitten heels.
We all know and love the classic Havaianas. Launched in 1962, the affordable Brazilian staple was inspired by Japanese zori sandals, pays tribute to the rice-grain texture on the sole and prioritizes comfort for the wearer.
In the tropical Southern Hemisphere, flip-flops are a simple no-brainer. Sunny Los Angeles has always welcomed them as a daily fashion staple, but this sweltering summer, everyone seems to be rocking a pair of thongs — not just as a beach staple or a vacation must-buy, but as a city shoe.
To some, it may seem a bit grotesque to air out the phalanges in this urban humidity. However, the trend has already caught on: flops are a practical, effortless choice and a common addition to the off-duty wardrobe.
Now, this hot shoe is evolving, and it seems about time to step out of the traditional flat-footed thong and dive head-first into the world of bizarre, off-putting kitten heels.
At Copenhagen Fashion Week, Studio Constance’s Spring/Summer 27 collection featured the debut of the Havaianas’ contemporary footwear configuration, complete with an elliptical kitten heel and rounded big toe cap. With an additional two inches, the asymmetric heel sits low to the ground at a slight angle.
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“The Kitten Heel represents a new design perspective for Havaianas, while remaining true to the ease, authenticity, and Brazilian spirit that have always defined the brand,” Maria Fernanda Albuquerque, global vice president of marketing at Havaianas, said in a statement.
The matte design is available in black, off-white and pastel chartreuse with the same composition and comfort from their original thongs’ soles.
But off rip, they are definitely not the cutest shoe, and as fashion gurus continue to search for the hottest new sandal heel knee-deep into this summer, I would not bet on crowds jumping in line to get these Havaianas.
In fact, it takes a while for funky footwear to catch on. Let’s throw it back to the controversial designs that had people questioning their eyes, or rather their feet.
We saw it firsthand with jelly sandals, which were first introduced by the Brazilian brand Melissa before emerging at The Row’s Spring/Summer 24 runway collection. The revolting choice took a while to catch back on, but soon enough the Mara flats plagued last summer.
It would be wrong to make a funky footwear guide without mentioning the hot topic of tabis. Ever the controversial shoe, these traditional Japanese designs have shaped into a cult-favorite flat for those who dare to purchase toe socks.
The fivefinger flats, however, are in their own league entirely. Vibram’s tabi counterpart is a bit more difficult to wrap your head around, but users swear by them. This bizarre shoe, according to this Substack article, is a mimicry of a “pure orgasmic exhale for the foot.” Vibram Five Fingers, which recently hosted a pop-up in LA, is widely popular among its crowd who embrace these shoes wholeheartedly.
For the last funky footwear, we look at Les Doubles Sandales by the iconic Jacquemus, which incorporates a unique architectural design with a double heel that warrants a double take. This take on an odd heel had one Instagram user noting them as “strange but attractive.”
So, are the new Havaianas’ kitten heels really all that?
Probably not. But the industry is moving away from digestible, mainstream shoes and is not stopping for the public’s approval. Let’s just say… If you get it, you get it. These funky heels might just surprise you when they start popping up in our very own City of Angels.