Gigi Hadid Puts California Girl Aesthetic Into Havaianas Collaboration

Fun fact: When flip flops were invented and patented by Havaianas in 1962, the rubberized shoes were perfect for the South American country’s beach lifestyle (hello, The Girl from Ipanema). Its design was based on the Japanese Nori shoe, which was made from straw. Over 60 years later, the easy-to-wear shoes once associated with Brazil’s poorer working class have become the de rigueur summer sandals.

Helping to elevate these humble and affordable shoes has been a slew of brand collaborations that range from Dolce & Gabbana, Manolo Blahnik, and Valentino to Saint Laurent and Disney. Celebrities such as Naomi Campbell, Arizona Muse, and Barbie Ferreira have also teamed up to create capsule collections. For summer 2025, the Brazilian brand has teamed up with Supermodel and Havaianas brand ambassador Gigi Hadid, who has infused styles with a ‘California Dreamin” vibe.

Hadid creative directed the six-style capsule collection infused with sunset-inspired prints and color scheme—think orange, pink, and blues ombré effects—on the brand’s Top and Slim Square style flip flops that infuse the squishy sandals with a dose of fashion. To promote the offering, which launches in the US in June, a photo campaign that channels a 1940s/50s pin-up vibe and features the self-proclaimed flip-flop lounging in a hammock at a Hollywood set-worthy beach.

To celebrate, the Brazil-founded rubber sandal maker threw a party in downtown Manhattan, attempting to bring the beach to the city with a rooftop fete at Altro Paradiso in Soho. The party channeled the sandy coasts of Rio de Janeiro, complete with palm leaves, tropical flowers, branded coconut shells, pearlized seashell cocktail glasses, customized anklets by Susan Alexandra’s charm collection, and a sunset-infused orange glow everywhere.

The trendy eatery’s vast rooftop boasts a beautiful west-side Manhattan sunset, and the aim was to give guests such as Olivia Palermo and Carlyne Cerf de Dudzeele a front-row view. However, this being New York lately, the weather had another plan. The rain was non-stop on party day. Thus, the event was moved inside. This didn’t stop Hadid from turning it out in a charming Marc Jacobs cream dress with chunky jewel accents and a 50s bob hairdo while sporting the orange color of the sandals. After all, every New Yorker knows that in a summer rain, the de facto shoe is a rubber flip-flop, preferably Havaianas.