Havaianas: the flip-flops emblematic of Brazil - corruption and all

Rio de Janeiro

YOU would be hard pressed to find an item more representative of Brazil than Havaianas: those brand-name flip-flops adopted by just about every inhabitant, rich or poor, as well as tourists seduced by the beach vibe.

Now the footwear find themselves linked with a more sombre aspect of Brazil that has been grabbing headlines recently - corruption.