Espadrilles – An Origin Story

CEBU, Philippines - Prior to the 1960s, the most popular shoes in Brazil were the espadrilles made of cord, stylishly assembled to produce a pair of functional footwear. These espadrilles, originally called Alpargatas, were worn heavily during that time.

Today, espadrilles are usually made of a jute rope or braided hemp sole with linen fabric on top. Espadrilles are so famous for being casual and comfortable that it has slowly become a modern wardrobe essential. Whether you pair it with a basic tee and distressed denim shorts, or a basic dress, or your favorite beach getup, the espadrille is the handy addition to any everyday ensemble.

Leading footwear brand Havaianas has recently introduced its alpargatas line and named it Havaianas Origine.  Alpargatas is actually the registered corporate name behind the Havaianas brand. Alpargatas, the company, was very popular for producing Alpargatas, the shoes, back in the day, until they expanded into flip-flops manufacturing. Essentially, this was the origin of everything for Havaianas as an institution. The brand started with espadrilles and now Havaianas is going back to fabricating its original product offering. The name Origine is Latin word for ‘origin’.

Havaianas Origine swanks off the iconic buttery-soft rubber base matched with different colored fabrics to cover the feet. Made of 100 percent cotton uppers, these espadrilles have been hand-stitched to the brand’s iconic marshmallow soles and adjusted to the contours of the feet. Expertly crafted in Brazil, they are perfect for the unpredictable weather and suitable for different sartorial choices the same way flip-flops have been to Filipinos.

In Cebu, Havaianas Origine is available in All Flip-Flops stores in Ayala Center Cebu and The Northwing of SM City Cebu. More info at www.havaianas.com.  (FREEMAN)