Sao Paulo’s tropical oasis, Ibirapuera Park, was abuzz last week with the vibrant colours, clicking heels and dazzling flashbulbs of Sao Paulo Fashion Week (SPFW). Housed in Oscar Neimeyer’s serene Pavilhão Ciccillo Matarazzo, SPFW is now in its thirteenth year and flourishing.
While officially recognized as a viable alternative to shows in Europe and the US, what really sets SPFW apart is its commitment to Brazilian themes. And it's definitely the richer for it. The oversize shoulders, demure drapery, geometric cuts and architectural shapes of A/W 2010 were revitalized in the hands of Brazilian fashion's great and good.
Saturated colours, tropical tweeds, safari silks, exotic prints and playful styling injected the shows with fresh personality and impressive diversity. Highlights included Fraga’s metallic two-piece; Amapô’s cubist mini dress; Huis Clos’s heavenly drapery, Iódice’s Scarlet Macaw print, Gloria Coelho’s futuristic architecture and Animale’s porcupine trim.
Alongside local flash bulb magnets such as Fernanda Lima and Gloria Kalil, there were also a few international appearances - Jesus Luz and Agnes Deyn at Ellus were highlights - reminding everyone that brand Brazil isn't just a local affair, it's steadily seducing the world.
Good signage sets the scene for what’s inside...
Bold and voluminous for Amapô women.
National pride lends bold colour at Amapô men.
Velvet newspaper prints and extravagant tailoring at Amapô
A standing ovation at Amapô.
Actress Fernanda Lima leads Amapô design duo, Carolina Gold and Pitty Taliani to take their bow.
Bouncers guard the door at Ibirapuera Park’s Biennale.
Bold and Brazilian: Carmen Miranda’s style lives on.
A pair of bright Brazilians.
Cogs...
...and spikes set the tone at Animale.
Factory fabulous at Animale.
Digital diva Erika Palomino gives her expert opinion.
Digital web: displays suspended within the curvaceous interior of the Biennale.
Nude eyes and blood-stained lips create a vampire look at Erika Ikezili.
Finale at Erika Ikezili.
Erika Ikezili takes a bow.
Attentive and stylish at Simone Nunes.
Theatre of the absurd sets the backdrop at Simone Nunes.
Fire & ice: sharp tailoring meets passionate colour at Simone Nunes.
The rough with the smooth: lace and tattoos in the audience at Neon.
Nune’s metallic frills and scallop edges.
Theatre meets dance meets fashion in Ronaldo Fraga’s Pina Bausch inspired show.
Metallic jersey, exaggerated tailoring and brogues at Ronaldo Fraga.
Back-to-front, eye-catching headgear for models a Ronaldo Fraga.
Hair they come: Bahian colours and tropical tweeds light up the final leg of Fraga’s show.
Perfect scales - creative heels at Neon.
Silken safari at Neon.
A tribal safari suit from Neon.
Safari chic, Neon-style.
King of the jungle: Neon’s lion takes centre stage.
Vestal virginal luxe at Huis Clos.
Pure perfection: Huis Clos’s floating angels.
A heavenly sequin-encrusted shift dress at Huis Clos.
Gloria Kalil, fashion blogger extraordinaire, gives Huis Clos the up and down.
Vintage neon prints in Oi’s show shop.
Waiting for the show to begin.
Give me wings - Melissa’s latest sculptural creation in the Cirque-inspired Melissa Lounge.
More temptations from the favourite footwear duo: Melissa teams up with Vivienne Westwood.
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