Havaianas has officially entered its fashion era, and the internet has plenty to say about it.
The iconic Brazilian footwear brand has unveiled its first-ever Kitten Heel thong sandal, making its debut during Copenhagen Fashion Week and instantly sparking a frenzy across social media. Long known for its classic rubber flip-flops, Havaianas has reimagined its signature silhouette with a fashion-forward twist that has divided opinions in equal measure.
The buzz began with a cryptic Instagram teaser showing only half of a kitten heel alongside the words, “AN ICON, REIMAGINED. TAKING NEW HEIGHTS.” Hours later, the brand revealed the full design: a sleek thong sandal featuring a low, asymmetric elliptical heel attached to Havaianas’ signature rubber footbed.
The updated design doesn’t stop at the heel. The front of the sandal has also been reworked, with a widened toe post that wraps around the big toe while leaving the remaining toes exposed, giving the familiar flip-flop an elevated, contemporary edge.
Rather than launching the style through a traditional product drop, Havaianas chose one of fashion’s biggest stages. The Kitten Heel made its runway debut during Studio Constance’s Spring/Summer 2027 presentation at Copenhagen Fashion Week, cementing its place as one of the event’s most talked-about accessories.
The sandals quickly moved beyond the runway and onto the streets of Copenhagen, where fashion insiders embraced the unconventional silhouette. Style stars including Emili Sindlev and Livia Nunes were spotted wearing the design throughout the week, with Nunes even riding a custom Havaianas bicycle fitted with matching Kitten Heel pedals, a playful touch that further fueled conversation around the launch.
As expected, social media wasted no time weighing in. Many fashion lovers declared themselves “obsessed” with the unexpected design, praising Havaianas for transforming one of the world’s most recognisable flip-flops into a high-fashion statement.
“It’s not normal how excited I am for this launch,” one Instagram user commented.
Not everyone was convinced, however. Critics questioned the unconventional silhouette, with one commenter bluntly asking, “This is a joke, right?”
Love it or hate it, Havaianas has succeeded in creating one of Copenhagen Fashion Week’s biggest talking points.
