Build Your Own Havaianas at Selfridges Manchester Trafford

On a few of my most recent trips to the famed Selfridges Manchester Trafford Centre I have spotted something rather exciting. Flipflops being made for people. Havaiana Flipflops to be precise (the Louboutin of the Flipflop world to those not in the toe-bar community)

I had to check it out.

Havaianas are a Brazilian brand of summer footwear and are the most comfortable Flipflops you'll ever buy. Seriously. I purchased some from OiPolloi before my break away to Gran Canaria and I barely wore anything else the entire holiday. They're comfortable, durable and go with anything (in the right colours) I even wore them out at night (for shame) and they looked the part because, if you're going to dance in flipflops, they should at least be Havaianas!


So. I have some white OiPolloi Havaianas but Adam (the BF) doesn't, thought I'd treat him and be all nice.

Upon arrival you're teleported from the sleek shiny Selfridges ground floor to the insane world of multi-coloured foam footwear.

 
I loved the merchandising, it really played up the idea that we were mixing and matching our own creations, it also, oddly, made me hungry. The idea of customising your own footwear has got this corner of the department store a lot of attention, during hard times people want more for their money. So if retailers can go that extra mile (by not putting the shoes together in the first instance) they seem to be on for a winner!

Upon being introduced to Vanessa we began the Three Step customisation process...

We selected our desired sole (top or slim, slim being a more delicate cut), our desired strap and any glitzy additions, like these crystals below. (which we avoided, this time)

  
The lovely Havaiana Ladies then set to work putting our selections together. Adam opted for Avocado Green Top Sole and White Straps. 

There was a cool/lethal looking machine that punched the straps through the sole and, un, deux trois, we were done.

 As you can see by Vanessa's co-worker's hair, the work can get demanding....

 

Simply the best in flipflops. 

Exclusive to Manchester Trafford Centre Selfridges for the next few week of Summer, from £20.00.

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