Bondi Icebergs Goes Rainbow, This Valentine’s Day, celebrate a world where all love is welcome

Havaianas Australia are celebrating Pride this Valentine’s Day, in a physical display of love for the LGBTQIA+ community, transforming Sydney’s iconic Bondi Icebergs Pool into a 50 metre, eight stripe, rainbow flag. To coincide with a new national campaign, Havaianas are encouraging participants to join them to ‘Walk A Mile For Love’ which hopes to celebrate inclusivity, diversity, empathy and unity this Valentine's Day.

Before judging someone, you must first understand their experiences, challenges and thought processes. The new campaign from Havaianas is a reminder to practice empathy in all walks of life and encourages participants in essence, that before you judge someone, you must first walk a mile in their shoes. 

This Summer, the Brazilian footwear brand released their first rainbow range of thongs, encouraging conversation, social inclusion and empowerment for LGBTQIA+ young through a charity initiative. Now,  a positive message of celebration for the LGBTQIA+ community has been exhibited with a larger than life rainbow Pride flag at Bondi Icebergs - click here for imagery [linked here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/18hkdxzir75whvw/AAC7Mtzr3Ltg-PU2XLJOR-Cla?dl=0]

Each stripe of the Pride rainbow depicted in the Bondi Icebergs pool represents values within the LGBTQIA+ community and celebrates the queer spectrum. Havaianas have chosen to honour the original flag of the LGBTQIA+ movement precisely because this is the brand’s first pride collection. As the Havaianas movement does not stop at one collection, this is the first of an annual rainbow range - a global celebration of pride of which Havaianas Australia believes represents choice. Tom Nolan, General Manager of Havaianas Australia said of the installation, “No longer should Australians follow the black line of conformity - the rainbow lines which will run the length of the pool from Thursday 11th - Sunday 14th of February, celebrate the choice that we are so privileged to have in Australia, that you should swim in any lane that best represents you.”

For each Rainbow Havaianas product sold, proceeds of sales from every pair will be donated to charity, in a financial commitment to the LGBTQIA+ community. Havaianas Australia have entered into a partnership with Melbourne-based Minus18, an organization that acts to improve the health and wellbeing of, and provide a safe environment for same-sex attracted and gender diverse young people in Australia. So far sales of Rainbow Havaianas have raised over $50,000 to date for Minus18. 

Minus18 offers events and digital support to LGBTQIA+ young people around Australia, to which the funds raised from the Havaianas Pride collection will ensure that these services remain free, and will reach even more young Australians in need. “Havaianas funding this work truly means the world, and sends a message of love and celebration to the thousands of LGBTQIA+ youth we work with every week. This includes our LGBTQIA+ youth events, programs, online resources and articles,” said Micah Scott, CEO of Minus18. On the momentous rainbow flag now on display in Bondi, Micah notes, "we love that the Bondi Icebergs takeover brings the sense of pride we inspire each day to one of the most visible and iconic parts of Sydney."

Havaianas thongs have long been worn by Australians, adopted as our national footwear, regardless of gender, social class, regionality, religion, ethnicity or sexual orientation. Globally, the Havaianas brand are making a commitment to the LGBTQIA+ community to take action and establish initiatives to diminish differences and promote equality for this part of the population - a commitment honoured today at the iconic Bondi Beach pool and demonstrated online at walkamileforlove.com and on social media through the hashtag #WalkAMileForLove.

For PR enquiries, please contact:

Ally Downing

AWPR

t +612 8218 2124‬ 

m +419 364 499
ally@awpr.com.au

About Havaianas

Havaianas have been spreading the Brazilian spirit all around the world since 1962, with its iconic rubber sole and infamous bright and joyful, summer-infused designs. A brand with spontaneity and summer at its core, Havaianas believe that simplicity and style walk hand in hand. Fit for every style, Havaianas are light, comfortable and durable - slip on a pair of Havaianas and you’ll instantly feel the joy and happiness of simply being yourself. 

Since launching in Brazil 58 years ago, Havaianas have become the summer style essential for everyone, anywhere, anytime: made for summer and made of summer. For more information visit www.havaianasaustralia.com.au