¿Pé de chinelo? Selection and critique of aesthetic values in a piece of design as contemporary art

Abstract

In Brazil, the expression "pé de chinelo" (literally "flip-flop foot") is used to describe a person or thing of low status, low quality and of little value. It is very common to refer to a type of thief as a "pé de chinelo" thief, to which one refers to a poorly prepared guy, who steals things of little value, without offering much risk. This is because the use of chinelos (flip-flops), in Brazil, is associated with people with few financial conditions due to the popular characteristic of the footwear. So referring to Havaianas flip-flops as "pé de chinelo" is a paradox that helps to describe the trajectory of a product that makes the most of its simplicity and at the same time is considered a differentiated and appreciated item by many all over the world.