Mastermind Japan Gives Flip-Flops A Boost Of Street Cred With New Havaianas Collaboration
Love them or loathe them, there’s no denying that flip-flops are a footwear staple on our sunny island, their rhythmic thwacks filling the air everywhere from coffeeshops to the CBD. Regardless of which camp you fall into, though, you can’t not get excited about the new collaboration between Mastermind Japan and Havaianas.
Streetwear pioneer Masaaki Homma – the, uh, mastermind behind the cult favourite fashion house – lends his alternative, punk-inspired aesthetic to a duo of limited edition flip-flop designs. The first sees the classic Havaianas Top silhouette reimagined in monochrome with Mastermind’s signature skull and crossbones motif (drafted and re-drafted by Homma over 1,000 times before he was satisfied) split in halves across the left and right sides, while the collaboration logo is emblazoned on the insoles and straps.
The second pair, on the other hand, is a homage to the Japanese heritage shared by both labels. Here’s a fun fact you might not know: the first flip-flops conceived by Havaianas nearly six decades ago were directly inspired by the traditional zori sandals worn in Japan for centuries, except the Brazilian brand replaced rice straw with rubber so as to suit a warmer climate. The new Tradi Zori model of the partnership nods to this legacy with a squared-off heel, elevated footbed, and knotted fabric thong.
The Mastermind Japan x Havaianas collection will launch in Singapore this Wednesday, June 10 at Club 21, and you can reserve a pair via Whatsapp (just text 8121 5208) as part of the At Home with Club 21 shopping service, with delivery right to your doorstep. Judging from how quickly the capsule sold out in Japan, you’d better get a move on.
Swipe the gallery below for more:
