Pair of leather thong sandals from the New Kingdom of Egypt (ca. 1550–1307 B.C.) from Wikipedia

Flip-flops (the clue is in the name) have been around for thousands of years. The low slung, heel-less shoe has been worn by successive generations across the world since Egyptians first slipped them on to do a spot of pyramid building. In New Zealand the shoe is called the Jandal (a mash up of Japanese and Sandal, despite its north African origins).  As is the case with Bungy jumping and pavolva, New Zealanders tell themselves they invented them.

Fashion, they say is cyclical. Therefore it was inevitable that eventually the humble flip-flop would made a reappearance at a fashion week somewhere, sometime in the world. Berlin fashion week is as good a place as any.

Read the Herald’s feature article this morning (AAP syndicated report) and you could be forgiven for thinking that Kiwis believe they invented the flip-flop and therefore have to have oddly worded ‘foreign’ articles translated into Kiwinese to be able to understand them

“Jandals the latest high-fashion trend?

The humble Kiwi jandal, known as flip flops to the rest of the world, could be the hippest thing to flash on your feet this spring.

Jandals aren’t usually de rigueur on the catwalk or in the front row when it comes to high fashion.

But a few male models have strutted down the runway sporting flip flops during Berlin Fashion Week…” source

This of course is a confirmation that it continues to be de-rigeur for Kiwis to wear flip-flops in all social and work situations since they are now a fashion statement, not an alternative to going barefoot, or wearing slippers to the grocery store.