MATTHEW WILLIAMSON ON HAVAINAS

By Crash redaction

IMPOSSIBLE TO REFUSE THE PROSPECT OF DESIGNING TWO MODELS FOR AN INSTITUTION CELEBRATING ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR: HAVAIANAS, OR THE BRAZILIAN FASHION ICON WITH 206 MILLION SANDALS PRODUCED EVERY YEAR FOR CUSTOMERS IN HIP NEIGHBORHOODS AND FAVELAS. KNOWN FOR HIS HUGELY POPULAR PRINTS, MATTHEW WILLIAMSON AGREED TO DESIGN TWO RAIN BOOT MODELS FOR THE BRAND – A NATURAL CHOICE FOR THIS LONDONER. MATTHEW WILLIAMSON GAVE AN EXCLUSIVE MEETING WITH CRASH TO TALK ABOUT HIS COLLABORATION WITH HAVAIANAS.

Tell us about the collaborative project for the 50 years of havaianas…

I already had a chance to see some other designers’ takes on the iconic flip flops and rain boots. And so I said to myself: why not? I accepted Havaianas’ offer to design two rain boot models for its fiftieth anniversary. It all happened so naturally and almost by itself. It gave me the chance to work on a rain boot in the cold, wet climate of England. It seemed like one of the most obvious ideas ever! And considering the brand’s past collaborations with other designers and its history, it was a creative adventure that I couldn’t pass up.

Your collaboration wit havaianas plunged you into the world of flip flops – the brand’s iconic item. What’s special about the flip flop?

Havaianas has a special story: designs made in Brazil, in the world’s biggest sandal factory, where advanced technology and artisanship come together! Production quality is what made them so famous: the sandals they make keep your feet dry, they’re slip-proof, they don’t hurt, they’re durable and comfortable… And they’re available in a lot of colors and styles…

As a designer, what do you think stands out most about the brand since its establishment in 1962? It’s hard to realize the brand is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year…

What’s unique is how Havaianas can turn flip flops into an item people want. How they made them appeal both to the glamorous – including celebrities from around the world – and people from more modest backgrounds, like the Brazilian favelas where everyone is still wearing Havaianas 50 years after the brand’s creation. Havaianas truly has an exceptional product!

Can you tell us about the two designs?

The first pair of rain boots uses a print that I’ve liked for a long time: peacock feather! I first used it in my ready-to-wear collection in 1997, when I was still very young! Then the design followed me everywhere: in my collections, in my boutiques in Dubai, for example. It’s my trademark design.

Where did it come from?

I love peacocks! And I love when women want to show themselves off like peacocks. Women who wear my clothes are peacocks. They’re elegant, of course, and in the end that’s how I see them! So I used the pattern on a black base with hints of pink, green, and blue cutting through the black and white feathers with graphic, curvy lines.

And what about the more geometric print in shades of blue?

It’s a new print also used for my Fall Winter 2012 collection. I used it for the second model of rain boots. When it rains, when everything is gray and sad, they’re the kind of boots you can grab quickly. They’re practical and easy to carry. Definitely more than the first model.

Havaianas was attracted to your work with prints. You are especially well known for prints, but with your last collection you said you wanted to work your prints in a different way, notably with a more japonese and graphic inspiration…

Prints are at the heart of my work and any collection I do. Prints are what I want to work on in a collection, more than the silhouette. It’s my new prints that bring new people to my collection every season.

Pressure…

Yes, there’s pressure: and I like it. Working hard to change a print and give it a new look, a fresh take… For the Fall Winter 2012 collection, I discovered an artist whose work I love! Shane McAdams. His work is perfect! The colors are beautiful! Everyone should check out his work!

Your work shows a taste for details and artisanal crafts, especially when they’re from india…

The way I see fashion design, artisanal skill doesn’t start with working a silhouette, like it does for many designers. For me, it’s not proportions that come first, but textiles. I’m always ready to reflect on color palettes, prints, embroidery, pearls… well, everything on the surface of the textile. I like the imperfection of artisanal work. When I created my company 15 years ago, I went to India and I’m still fascinated by the crafts I discovered there and started using in my collections. The trends also show a return to prints with more spontaneous lines, with a handmade look, which is projected to succeed the current trend of symmetrical lines with hints of futurism, as in Alexander McQueen’s fabulous new collection.

Thanks for this exclusive look at your two rain boot models designs for havaianas, available this fall. But what should we wish for you now?

Let’s hope it’s a rainy fall! I can’t wait for the rain. I hope it soaks us through to the soul!