Brazilian brand Havaianas presents six Mediterranean themed flip-flops with three designers

Warm summer months conjure up images of loose casual dressing and airy footwear.  Nothing is more summer than slipping on a pair of flip-flops and enjoying time in the sun.

Among my favourite pass-times is lazying around the pool or kicking up sand along beaches in a pair of Havainans, the go-to Brazilian brand for stylish flip-flops.  They are always packed in my holiday bag for destinations around the world.

Now I hear Havaianas have launched a special project called Local Soul whereby local artists in 3 Mediterranean destinations, notably Ibiza, Tel Aviv and Mykonos, are given the opportunity to use Havaianas as a canvas to showcase their design and inspiration.

The brand will also be taking over a beach venue in each place for the whole summer to bring a touch of Brazil to the Mediterranean, with a special music session each week, and one very special headline event in each location over the summer.

All 3 locations have been chosen because of their vibrant landscapes and atmosphere, their beach location and their cool vibes.

Each of the artists brings a different art form and take on the project to showcase the three destinations.

Rafi Perez from Tel Aviv, a native of this city and is known for his colourful artworks focusing on the city itself and the lively LGBTQ community who live and visit the city, present landscapes of the city in vibrant colours.  His designs are shown above and here on the left.

Athenian Marina Vernicos, however, takes her photographic inspiration from the beauty of Mykonos whose seascapes, architecture and landscape all serve as muses for her work. Her works are shown here on the right and below.

Finally, fashion and textile designers of the World Family Ibiza who focus on embroidery play on the warmth of the island and the iconic xyz rock as seen from the beach where Alok and Merel first met over 30 years ago.   Their designs are shown on the right and below.

The 6 pairs of Havaianas  flip-flops (2 per location - all shown here) are only available to buy from selected retailers in either Ibiza, Tel Aviv or Mykonos – so if you are lucky enough to be visiting these special places over the summer one of these could be an exclusive souvenir of your trip!

Havaianas has been producing flip-flops in Brazil since 1962.

‘RD x California Girls’ debut Collection from the Rocket Dog

Casual footwear brand Rocket Dog has launched a collaboration collection with LA celebrity stylist Chloe Bartoli.  ‘RD x California Girls’ Collection is designed to extend the Rocket Dog brand and ethos of Forever-California-Cool, with an influential millennial twist.

Chloe Bartoli has taken Rocket Dog's classic 'Big Top' platform sandal and added a rock n roll vibe to it.  

“I am beyond excited to collaborate with Rocket Dog! Growing up, if you didn’t have a pair of Rockets Dogs’ in high school, you were definitely not part of the cool crowd.  I decided to make my collection a little bit more masculine than what they generally design! Instead of designing pieces that were more on the feminine side like Rocket Dog‘s classic platform sandal, I decided to take the platform and add a more rock ‘n’ roll/punk vibe to the collection.” says Chloe Bartoli.

 With each collection debut under the ‘RD x California Girls’ umbrella, Rocket Dog partners with a new visionary from the fashion world, which Chloe Bartoli perfectly exemplifies as their debut collaborator.

The new Rocket Dog collection offers a perpetually fresh range, that is targeted to maintain interest and excitement among the Gen Z and millennial customer.

“The collection will pulse fresh micro-trends, direct from the runway, mixing in inspiration from the millennial web and the streets. It is very important that the styles are varied for universal wear across geographic regions, while attracting new millennials and Gen-Zers along with Rocket Dog loyalists. Everyone loves California cool. It is a universal love.” says Cathy Taylor, CEO of Millennial Brands.
Rocket Dog gained popularity in the ‘90s for its trendsetting platform sandals and stacked footwear, and now emerges with this new collection perfectly timed to the re-emergence of this resurrected fashion era and footwear statement.
Images: Rocket Dog

The time for classic brogue detailing has come. See O.W.L.'s new Limited Edition watches.

In terms of footwear, nothing can be more British and classic than the Brogue, a style of sturdy leather shoes traditionally associated with business attire and now widely worn with casual wear and jeans.

Jude Antique Tan Brogues 

The Hamble Oak from Clarks has got great reviews.

 According to Wikipedia, brogues (derived from the Old Irish bróg) is a style of low-heeled shoe or boot traditionally characterised by multiple-piece, sturdy leather uppers with decorative perforations (or broguing) and serration along the pieces' visible edges.

Jude Antique Tan Brogues by Agnes & Norman

available on Notonthehighstreet.

And with the return to British-made or designed sentiments, "broguing" is a detailing widely adopted not only in modern footwear but for lifestyle fashion elsewhere.

British watch brand O.W.L. is one such brand that has been adopting the brogue detailing for its new ranges, including the limited edition Caterbury, which is being launched in September.

The latest addition features a 33mm diameter stainless steel case with layered sun ray dial featuring 3 working sub dials combining day, date and 24 hour functions.  The dial is encased underneath a vintage inspired domed lens.

The premium leather straps are made by layering 3 layers of soft, cut leathers and stitching together to form delicate Brogue detail. Note also the two-colour detailing in the new Canterbury watches.
How cool is that?

The brogue detailing on leather straps was first used in
O.W.L. 's Belfast range launched earlier this year SS15.

The O.W.L. brand was founded by Annett Alan who draws inspiration from British Heritage for her collections.

Sandals for the Hot Summer

Thank goodness for the hot weather we are having in London this week. As the temperature continues to climb, it's time to show off our favourite summer footwear. And what better way to cool off our feet than flat sandals and cool slides.

Just recently launched are these new light-weight single strap sandals from Birkenstock available in white and black, in keeping with the current Monocrhome trend.  

Classic Birkenstock's Madrid EVA sandals come in Black and White in keeping with the Monocrhome trend.

Made in an ultra light vinyl acetate material and are 100% waterproof, these are great for going to the seaside or lounging by the pool.  Weighing only 130 grams they are ideal for taking on holiday.   With adjustable straps and shock absorbing EVA soles, they are very comfortable to wear.

Both "Madrid EVA" colours are available on Birkenstock website.

Meanwhile at British shoe brand Clarks are these lovely "Tres Chic" sandals for their new take on classic styling for a truly British summer.

Clarks' Romantic Moon 

Clarks' Sharna Balcony

Clarks' Studio Punch decorated with jewel stones.

All styles available on the Clarks website.

Photos of CLARKS shoes by Lucia Carpio for My Fashion Connect.