FASHION

Havaianas go global, while their culture remains underexplored

In Christmas 2025, giving a pair of Havaianas became a political act. Photo: Arthur Lamonier/Ato Press/Folhapress

In a year marked by turbulence in trade with the United States and the opening of new markets for Brazilian exporters, it was footwear brand Havaianas that most decisively asserted itself on the global stage — not as a beach staple, but as a fashion item.

In Q3 2025, Havaianas’ rubber flip-flops were ranked by Lyst as the most coveted fashion product in the world, based on metrics including social media mentions, search activity and available stock. They surpassed items such as Saint Laurent loafers and a striped Ralph Lauren dress worn by Taylor Swift.

The ascent of Brazil’s traditional flip-flops to global fashion status marks a milestone in a decades-long process of internationalization — and comes amid the rise of a trend dubbed…

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