The cool girls of Brooklyn can’t get over them. Neither can the Scandinavian fashion-forward crowd during Fashion Week or every other British traveller hitting Ibiza this summer. They’re the tourist’s favourite souvenir from Rio and a red-carpet-approved shoe for celebrities ready to make a statement. But most importantly, they are Team Brazil’s biggest and most close-to-home wardrobe staple during the Olympics. How can a piece of apparel travel so eclectically and so far, one might ask? Well, that’s the magic of Havaianas, I guess.

Since the 1960s, the flip-flop brand has become an intrinsic part of Brazilian culture. Feijoada, caipirinha, samba, football, Havaianas, and repeat. It’s a no-brainer: I dare you to find someone who spent more than five years of their life on the South American coast who doesn’t own a pair. And after decades of being kept as a home-grown gem, the rubber-soled footwear finally broke through borders and reached new heights — as in, a flagship store on the iconic Avenue Champs Elysées kind of height.

On international grounds, day after day, season after season, these thong sandals are becoming synonymous with fashion-forwardness among the edgy crowd. Truth be told, there’s something quite freeing about sliding your feet into a crisp, fresh pair of Havaianas and flip-flopping around during the warmest months — a year-round affair in Brazil, thanks to its endlessly sun-soaked weather.

You just know you’re in for a treat. Gone are the days when flip-flops were just for the lazy or the beach. Hitting the pavement with a Copacabana-infused self-confidence, they’ve become a channel for the ultimate cool-girl energy in the city, a charm stolen by our 9-to-5 lives the minute we lay eyes on a cornered plastic desk in a cold, white-lit room. No matter where in the world you are, these open-toe slides allow you to step into a Slack-less sense of unbotheredness and laid-backness, exported directly from Brazilian culture. After all, there’s so much more to it than the yellow and green cropped tops flooding our TikToks and every other fast fashion rack.

For people who grew up with the brand, though, rocking a pair of Havaianas also carries an extra layer of symbolism. It’s a silent statement of national pride, a grounding connection to our roots, and an instant memory-unlocker of days spent on sandy beaches surrounded by loved ones, afternoons strolling around coastal cities with the salty breeze hitting your toes, and evenings dancing as your flip-flops get stuck in beer-drenched, sticky floors. There’s no such thing as experiencing Brazil in its truest form in chunky sneakers or heeled boots. We’re a flip-flops nation, proudly.

So, when the world stopped to watch the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics, and the Brazilian delegation’s boat crossed the Seine, it was hardly a surprise to see yellow, green, blue, and white rubbery soles peeking through the deck. “Havaianas is the official uniform of all Brazilians, whether they are Brazilian by birth or Brazilian by heart,” said Maria Fernanda Albuquerque, Global Marketing Vice-President for Havaianas. “Havaianas is a ticket that automatically transports anyone to a happy, light, and fun universe that we call Brazilianness. Through our participation in this event, on the feet of the Brazilian delegation, we invite the world to experience our way of celebrating different cultures during this moment.”

As the official sponsors of Team Brazil, Havaianas has been side by side with the athletes every step of the way — and Wonderland flew to Paris ahead of the opening ceremony to check out their new flagship store in the heart of the city, at the iconic Avenue Champs Élysées, for a special soirée warming up to the games. And speaking of Brazilian icons, Carnaval queen Sabrina Sato graced the night and chatted with us about her long-term and close-to-heart relationship with the brand.

“I’ve had so many wonderful memories with the brand throughout my life. At the beach with friends, with my daughter,” she recalls. “Havaianas holds a special place in my heart; I have an emotional attachment to it and a lot of affection for the brand. Havaianas represents our Brazilian spirit, our national pride, anywhere in the world.” You don’t need more than a first glance at Sato’s Instagram page to understand that no one does fashion statements like she does. A couture enthusiast, any grocery run becomes meaningful with a full-on fashion beat in Sato’s world. She’s living proof that there’s room for a pair of flip-flops in any wardrobe. “I wear them with any outfit — whether it’s tailoring, a pair of denim, or even with a bedazzled dress like I’m wearing now,” she continues. “It’s an essential part of my Carnaval, always with me and my family, and of course, it couldn’t be left out of the Olympics — it’s every Brazilian’s favourite uniform!”

The flagship was taken over by A-list guests who seemed to have stepped straight out of Getty Images’ “street style” section, flying in from all corners of the globe not only to cheer for their favourite athletes and countries but also to soak up the buzz of a spotlighted Paris. Surrounded by walls adorned with a rainbow of Havaianas styles — from the classic white and blue imprinted with the Brazilian flag to new models and highly anticipated collaborations, including their latest releases with Dolce & Gabbana and Brazilian fashion house Farm Rio — the crowd mingled in Italian, Portuguese, French, English, and more, in a night dedicated to celebrating cultural diversity and heritage.

It’s undeniable that the French know how to drink and eat. And we respect (and love) that. But in that corner of Champs Elysées, we were transported to a night on Copacabana beach, with sweat granted by the Parisian summer temperatures, and pão de queijo, dadinhos de tapioca, and caipirinha in hand. While party-goers indulged in the best of Brazilian cuisine, Brazil-born and Paris-bred singer and songwriter Bianca Costa took over the decks to finish setting the tone of the evening, firing up the dance floor with her signature sonic fusion of dance, rap, and funk beats.

“I’ve always sung, since I was a little girl. I was born in Brazil, moved to Portugal when I was 5, and then to Paris when I was 10. But my roots have always been in Brazil, even though I started my career here in France. This cultural mix and bringing my Brazilianness to my music were very important to me,” she tells me as we sit down to chat in a quiet room at the back of the party, following her performance. “When you grow up in a country different from your homeland, there are many issues — loneliness, sometimes not being able to adapt. And music was always where I found that connection, that bridge to my roots, to feel less alone. So musically, it was very important for me to bring this mix of melodies, rhythms, bossa nova, samba, funk, and drill. It helps me stay connected to my identity.”

Bianca started her partnership with the brand three years ago, at the beginning of her music career. But just like any Brazilian, her first memories with flip-flops date back to childhood. “Havaianas is a big part of our story, which is why today was the first time I brought my mom to one of my shows,” she says. “We grew up with Havaianas — I remember very well, when I was a kid, we spent the whole year dreaming about the pair of Havaianas, white or gold, that we would buy for New Year’s Eve. It couldn’t be missed; it was the purchase of the year.” I couldn’t relate more.

As the night winds down and party-goers finally accept that some rest might be needed before facing the marathon of celebrations that come with a month-long Olympic Games, the room starts to slowly clear out. Before we leave, I ask Bianca what’s next on her bucket list. “A show in Brazil!” she promptly responds. “I’m starting to collaborate with several artists in Brazil, and I have several projects there now. But my dream is to one day see my cousins at my show; I can’t wait to make that dream come true.” Neither can we — the only thing better than bringing Rio to Paris would be bringing Paris to Rio. We’re so ready, bags packed and toes locked in our Havaianas.