Introducing the Kitten Heel
As thong sandals with heels rapidly entered the trend cycle, fashion insiders began to ponder – would Havaianas, the Brazilian brand that, since the mid-1990s, has virtually transformed utilitarian flip-flops into an accessory for almost any stylish ensemble, follow suit? Images, generated by artificial intelligence, even circulated on social media, attempting to visualize what heeled Havaianas flip-flops might look like. Spoiler alert – not as imagined.
The Brazilian brand embraced the trend, but entirely in its free-spirited character. Copenhagen was chosen as the location for the unveiling of the new Havaianas Kitten Heel model – a city that, despite its non-resort nature, has made flip-flops the most popular summer footwear, ushering in a new chapter in the global fascination with rubber sandals.
The updated footwear version was presented at Copenhagen Fashion Week as part of the Studio Constance Spring-Summer 2027 show, complementing 25 runway looks. Subsequently, a vibrant poolside celebration party was hosted.
The stable Kitten Heel is not the sole distinctive feature of the new design. The rubber overlay securely covers the big toe – similar footwear versions were once seen on the runways of Phoebe Philo during her tenure at Celine and in the collections of Dries van Noten. It’s quite possible that the Havaianas designers drew inspiration from these examples when crafting their own interpretation.
Throughout Fashion Week, stylists, editors, and creators sported the Kitten Heel, transforming the new model into a noticeable element of Copenhagen’s street style. For instance, stylist Emili Sindlev opted for a green pair of heeled thongs, pairing them with a checkered shirt from The Frankie Shop, a knee-length skirt by Lioness, and a large Hermès Birkin bag. We eagerly await the appearance of Havaianas in other fashion capitals!
HOW DANISH CARRIE BRADSHAW DRESSES – STYLIST EMILI SINDLEV
