Havaianas ❤️ Local Soul

Introducing Australia’s very own Local Soul collection, a series of exclusive styles that celebrate Sydney, Australia.

Local Soul is a global Havaianas project that celebrates beautiful beachside destinations around the world that have a unique summer spirit and way of life. Local Soul provides visitors of these destinations with a special and exclusive keepsake to remember their amazing travels by.

After Bali, Mykonos, Tel Aviv and Ibiza launched last year, Sydney is now the latest city to take part, and features two vibrant illustrations by Australian artist Barry Patenaude.

The pairs highlight two must-see landscapes of Sydney – Bondi Beach and Sydney Harbour – and the must-do activities of each location. By slipping on a pair of these Havi’s, visitors will be instantly reminded of the time they soaked up the sunshine at Bondi Beach, or the stunning walk they took around the Harbour foreshore.

Australia’s Local Soul collection is only available from Havaianas Online and via authorised retailers. Snap your pair up today!

MEET BARRY PATENAUDE

Barry Patenaude is an experienced hand-drawn and digital illustrator whose signature style and idiosyncratic Australian humour has gained a loyal and engaged following over the last few years. Patenaude's series, @beersinthesun pays homage to the iconic Australian beer can and has become a much-loved instagram account both domestically and abroad.

Growing up in the Brisbane suburb of Jindalee, he now splits his time between Sydney’s Marrickville and Palm Beach on the Gold Coast. He is an indoor plant enthusiast, a Philidelphia 76s fan and loves to unwind with a few laps of the pool. Like most, Barry has a life goal to own a dog, specifically an Australian Shepard.

How did you become an artist and what was the journey like to where you are now?

I have a background in Architectural Drafting and worked in an office for over 10 years before I decided to take my illustration and artwork more seriously. Over time, more and more Illustration work came in and I got to the point I could say goodbye to my office job and focus on Illustration. Since I’ve been doing this full time, I’ve done a solo exhibition, had drawings featured in some cool magazines, drawn a lot of dog portraits (and even more beer portraits), and worked with a lot of my favourite brands.

What was the inspiration behind your artwork for Havi’s?

Drawing these were so fun. Sydney Harbour and Bondi Beach are so iconic – it was easy to add details and little elements and try and keep every part of the piece entertaining and fun. My other main goal was trying to capture Sydney’s’ close relationship with the water that surrounds it – be it swimming, surfing or on a boat.

What’s the coolest place your Havi’s have taken you to?

Santorini, Greece a few years ago. Perfect weather, good friends, food, beers and Havi’s helping tackle the many stairs back up from the ocean.

What are three words that describe summer for you?

Swim. Sun. Fun.

What are your Top 5 Sydney summer tips?

1 - Summer here is HOT so if you want to settle in for a day at the beach without getting unbearably hot or burnt, you need a sturdy beach umbrella (the wood ones are better than plastic), somewhere to keep your snacks and water cool and a tennis ball for any passing dogs. Make sure you also don’t forget your havi’s for the scorching hot sand!

2 - Snacks are key, something easy to transport is a must and my go to is a Vietnamese Pork roll. Everyone in Sydney has a favourite spot for these but if you’re in the inner west head to Marrickville Pork Roll.

3 - Go snorkelling at Gordons bay, around the corner from Clovelly. Head there to sunbake on the surrounding rocks (like they do in Europe) and then swim with the local Blue grouper.

4 - If possible, make friends with someone who owns or has access to a boat. A boat day on the Harbour is very very good.

5 - Swim some laps in the Bondi Icebergs Pool - it can get crowded but most of the time it’s from sunbakers and selfie-takers, so you’ll usually have plenty of room in the pool.

To learn more about Barry, head to http://www.barryp.me/ or check out his Instagram page here > @barryp