Walking down memory lane

PEOPLE came in droves at the Abreeza Mall in mid September.

With different colors of soles and straps to match, the whole activity center was a transformed into a multiple hue of vibrance and youthfulness.

What a fitting way to celebrate the golden year of Havaianas, the world's favorite flip-flops.

Now on its 7th year, Havaianas held its "Make Your Own Havaianas" or MYOH on September 14-16.

MYOH, which is a much anticipated event for Havaianas fanaticos who make summer all year round, makes sure that one's personal style is fun and fuss-free, letting stylish travel as easy as slipping into your favorite pair of Havaianas.

MYOH 2012 is Havaianas way of celebrating 50 colorful years of carefree personalized fashion by taking everyone to a memory lane tour.

During the 3-day event, which was in time for my birthday, I was one of the Havaianaticos who customized their flip-flops inspired by the brand's heritage, vintage fashion and golden anniversary representations.

Fashion expression has never been chic with 13 special pins that spoke of heritage -- Happiness, 1962, Barsilipinas, Soccer balls, crown, aviator, stud designs, all trace back to Havaianas roots in Brazil.

Through MYOH 2012, the Havaianas story was told through a blaze of color and fashion, showing how Havaianas made the ordinary flip-flops a respected style in the world.

Just as there were thousands of combinations to choose from, I had mine with the limited MYOH 2012 Estampas design embellished with Aviator and Brasilipinas pins.

To quote Anne Gonzalez, managing director of Havaianas Philippines, "every Havaianas pair you own has a story to tell and all these stories combined play a big part in the brand's history.

Thanks to Ms. Marga Montemayor-Nograles for the invitation.

Visit www.makeyourownhavaianas.com.ph for more info.