Now on its new home at the Glorietta Activity Center, the ninth installment of Make Your Own Havaianas (#MYOH2014) runs May 8 to 11, 2014, and boasts to be a big carnival, the colorful Brazilian way. Here's a sneak peek of what to expect from the much awaited Havaianas customization event.
Have design ideas in mind before entering MYOH
MYOH is like the ultimate toy factory of Havaianas in the Philippines: it is where you can fully customize your flip-flops from colors of the sole, strap styles, and pins. My first MYOH experience was in 2009, and I have been coming back every year since that because the creative combinations you can think of for your pair of Havaianas is pretty much endless! For first-timers, you can do a virtual MYOH by logging on to http://myoh.havaianasphilippines.com/customization.html. I myself used the website to trim down my ideas down to two designs (from an original of five), and saved the screenshots on my phone. If you're pressed for time, I suggest you do the same to save yourself from the long wait and queues. But if you can stick around, the fun part of each MYOH is the spontaneous and free-flowing vibe of the event, where you can spend time mixing and matching and interacting with the other attendees.
Expect endless custom combinations
The actual customization process at the MYOH event is similar to the website, with the assistance of a menu/flyer to tick away your chosen size, styles, colors, and pins. Note that some styles and colors are not available at all sizes, so check the menu first. Some colors, straps, and pins (over 20 to choose from!) seem to be popular each year and tend to get sold out faster, so also have a backup design in mind. I had to stop myself from sneaking peeks at what others were customizing because all the color combinations seem perfect–but I was limiting myself to only one pair.
Interactive fun
Interactive set-ups such as the color wheels of soles, straps, and pins will guide you at MYOH. Spin each wheel until you find a combination to your liking so you can visualize your pair. Havaianatico assistants (the friendly flip-flop 'baristas' wearing aprons) can help you out as well if you have a hard time deciding on your final creation. Mix and match different combinations: go crazy with glitzy Swarovski crystals, make your pair funky with different colorful pins, play with contrast and hues using the different colors for straps and soles. Jem was my Havaianatico assistant who guided me in creating my MYOH 2014 pair, and was quick to suggest other combinations and styles whenever I'd have questions. She's been helping out at MYOH since 2009–the first year I started getting hooked on customized Havis.
Wear you wishes with Bonfim
Havaianas goes back to its Brazilian roots this year as a highlight for MYOH 2014 with the Bonfim Commemorative Pair. Bonfims are Brazilian wish ribbons worn for good luck, and this year's commemorative pair is embellished with ribbon prints on the soles, wishing every wearer Alegria (Joy), Diversao (Amusement), Empolgacao (Excitement), Euforia (Euphoria), and Felicidade (Bliss), all elements for that fun, always-summer spirit of Havaianas.
The commemorative pair comes with Bonfim that you wrap around your wrist; traditionally, bonfims are tied to your wrist with three knots, making one wish for each knot that you tie. The bonfim is never to be removed, until it wears off and falls off naturally–it is believed that when it falls off your wrist on its own that the wish comes true.
Fees and price range
There will be no entrance fee for MYOH–everyone is welcome to customize their own Havaianas! Prices of pairs depends on sole and strap combination:
Top Sole and Basic Strap (P895)
Top Sole and Metallic Strap (P945)
Slim Sole and Metallic Strap (P945)
Commemorative Pair (P995)
Pins range from P100 to P150 each.
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Make Your Own Havaianas 2014 happens at the Glorietta Activity Center from May 8 (Thursday) to 11 (Sunday), 2014, open from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM on weekdays, and 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM on weekends. For more details, check out www.myoh.havaianasphilippines.com, where you can also get to simulate how you can make your own Havaianas online.
Additional images courtesy of Havaianas Philippines.
