Those stylishly savvy Danes have been seen traipsing around Copenhagen Fashion Week recently in jandals but it's an accessory plucked straight out of a style playbook close to home.
Danish fashion label Rotate has partnered with jandals giant Havaianas for a fashionable collab just in time for the warmer
Featuring three colourways, the limited-edition collection features Rotate's signature colours of hot pink, vibrant green, and a glamorous python print, designed to complement the bold palette of the brand's spring/summer 2022 collection.
"The brand's iconic flip-flops have been a staple in our summer wardrobes since forever, and we have both been known to pair flip-flops with dresses for a quintessential Copenhagen girl look," says Rotate creative directors Thora Valdimars and Jeanette Madsen.
"We debuted two looks from our first Rotate collection by pairing them with Havaianas flip-flops and wearing them in between shows at Copenhagen Fashion Week, and this is still one of our most recognisable street style looks. This is truly a full-circle moment for us and a long-time dream come true."
Congratulations on this joyful partnership with Havaianas. How did the connection come about initially and how has the collection evolved from those first conversations?
We both love to wear flip-flops during the summer, and Havaianas are our go-to brand for flip-flops. The sexy mood of Rotate and the laid-back Havaianas spirit encapsulates this idea of dressing up and down, which is so important to our brand, so for us, it was a perfect collaboration and we were so excited to see it come to life in the SS22 collection.
There's a strong DNA with the Rotate aesthetic which merges naturally with Brazilian style too. Did you discover there were more similarities between Brazilian style and Danish style than you originally thought?
The DNA of Rotate is high glam, heavily sequined, party wear - that definitely has a vibrant energy not dissimilar to Brazilian style! But actually, the idea behind Rotate is more of a reflection of what was going on outside of Denmark, than within.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.Before we started the brand, in our working careers as editors, traveling to other cities such as London, Paris, New York, we saw so much colour and diversity in fashion and felt this was really missing in Copenhagen.
Rotate represents a gap in the market for cool, sexy, glamorous pieces that challenge this Scandinavian stereotype.
But in recent years we have also seen more bold and unique design in Denmark, so in that sense, yes, there is a synergy between Danish and Brazilian style.
How did you arrive at these three distinctive styles?
The three colourways of the flip-flops were inspired by the iconic prints and themes throughout our spring / summer 2022 collection.
You can see the snake print, the signature pink and vibrant green throughout the collection, so it’s amazing to see them come to life in each of the three styles alongside the Rotate pin on the strap.
What does the snakeskin print evoke in you as designers?
The snakeskin is a homage to the snake print material used throughout the spring/summer 2022 collection. The snake print is so classically sexy, whilst also touching on the key reference points of the collection - 70s disco and 90s glam.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.You've just celebrated your beautiful runway presentation as part of the Copenhagen spring/summer 2023 Fashion Week schedule. It was really amazing to see colour, texture and sex appeal for all bodies on the runway. Why is it important for you as a brand to really celebrate the body with your designs?
We are and always have been about celebrating strong women, and the spring/summer 2023 collection is a continuation of that. We want to provide a platform that champions and celebrates femininity, in all its interpretations.
With that said, the collections provide styles that suit everyone; every body shape, every style preference. We present a canvas for femininity in all its versions.
Flip-flops are very much a part of a typical New Zealand summer uniform. How have you been noticing people enjoying the flip flop in Europe?
Actually, the combination of a colourful, bold look and a pair of flip-flops, is a quintessentially Copenhagen summer look!
Rotate X Havaianas paired with our iconic dress silhouettes are the perfect casual and outgoing glam look.
How will you each be wearing your flip-flops? Any styling recommendations?
We have been wearing them, since we could get our hands on them!
They really complement the spring/summer 2022 collection but with the launch of the latest Rotate Sunday 4 collection, now featuring swimwear for the first time we have been paring them with dresses and the casual Rotate Sunday 4 styles for a toned-down summertime look taking us from the beach to fashion week.
What do you enjoy about the process of creative collaboration?
We always enjoy the challenge of working with a new team and creating new ideas! We have been working together for a long time, and work together on every single part of the process; from choosing materials, colours, prints, initial designs and final pieces, we are in it together. But it is exciting to involve new parties and add new creativity to the process.
