Thursday, January 2, 2014

Bold and Beautiful: A Taste of Brazilian Fashion

When it comes to fashion, women have shown time and time again that they'll do anything to stand out. From exotic-looking purses, to imported designer threads from Italy, fitted jeans that provide a "lift," and a prized pair of Jimmy Choo stilettos, today's woman wants to stand out.

But sometimes in order to do that, women must venture away from the traditional powerhouse shoe designers like Prada, Gucci, and Fendi and go towards lesser-known and even up-and-comer designer shoe companies. It's why women from all over the world are clamoring for the latest fad - Brazilian fashion.

Check any international runway and you'll quickly spot Brazilian influence. Whether it's a superstar supermodel like Adriana Lima, who hails from Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, or Rio Grande do Sul native, Gisele Bundchen, who has been largely credited with ending the "heroin chic" look of modern-day models, and instead bringing a healthier looking woman to the runway.

But it's not just the breathtakingly beautiful models that are getting attention on international fashion runways. Fashion designs themselves are getting some Brazilian flair, including bold, lively colors, including rich reds, coral, yellow, and white, with subtle metallic accents, including belts and jewelry. Victoria's Secret even devoted its entire swimsuit catalog to Brazilian-inspired swimwear!

You can even find Brazilian inspiration in today's popular shoes. Gone are subtle, demure heels. Instead they've been replaced by thick, chunky four-inch heels, and huge blocks of color from designers such as Luz da Lua and Morena Rosa. Paired with a mini skirt, shorts, a fringe dress, or a fitted pair of capris and you've got "hot, hot, hot!"

Much of fashion's gravitation towards Brazil can stem from its energy and attitude, and shows no signs of slowing down. When the economic recession has crumbled many countries, including the U.S., Brazil actually showed a staggering 9% increase in economic growth during the first quarter of 2010. And all one needs to do is check out Sao Paulo Fashion week to believe the words Suleman Anaya wrote in The Business of Fashion magazine - "Brazil believes in itself."

Credit the World Cup (2014) and the Olympic Games (2016) for a sudden wave of optimism in Brazil, which is reflected in everything from fashion, to music, to pop culture, and of course, in the attitude of its citizens, many of whom have jumped into an ever-growing middle class.

The women of Brazil, in particular, are getting more and more opportunities with education and in the case of Bundchen and Lima - super-stardom through modeling. Brazil has now become a hot bed for producing supermodels. Because of this, they carry themselves differently. They walk taller. They stand proud. They see a world of possibilities that were once not afforded to them.

It's this sudden wave of confidence that makes this country, and its production of high-fashion goods more attractive than ever. In fact, people are scouring to be a part of Brazil's lively boom in culture and economy, with such confidence becoming almost contagious. And when it's comes to confidence - that is truly the sexiest accessory a woman could ever wear.

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