Modelinia has a backstage pass to São Paulo Fashion Week, home turf of our favorite Brazilian catwalkers and one of the world’s top fashion events. We share all of the behind-the-scenes gossip and details on the fresh faces you love, straight from our spy, Isabelle Miller.
Day One
You know things are off to a stellar start when Gisele brings the fashion crowd to their feet by simply flashing a thumbs-up. Brazil’s greatest export opened Colcci, the sexy beachy collection that capped off Day One of SPFW. She did three turns on the runway, rocking the collection’s short shorts and high heels. Thanks to Gisele, Sala 1 at the Pavilhão da Bienal do Ibirapuera was packed to standing-room capacity. Colcci paid the big bucks to interrupt her honeymoon, and it was worth it to see the Brasileira toss her trademark waves and bump her hip at the end of the runway.
Everyone was mad for Jesus Luz’s second turn at São Paulo. Has it only been six months since his debut at Colcci’s Winter 2009 show? Even the Vogue girls couldn’t stop talking about Madonna’s much-younger, sometime boyfriend. Backstage in hair and makeup, the Voguettes asked the rest of the models what they thought about Jesus’ presence at SPFW. Did he deserve to be there? His arrival to the Bienal almost caused a stampede, and the crowd roared when he followed Gisele on the runway to a remix of Madonna’s “Hung Up.”
P.S. We heard that Gisele had a special delivery of coxinha—a kind of Brazilian fried chicken—and coconut water delivered to her private dressing room before the Colcci show. Models indulged in sushi rolls while crisply uniformed massage therapists worked on their weary feet. Espresso and fresh squeezed juices were the beverages du jour.
Day Two
Caroline Trentini opened the Forum Tufi Duek show to applause from the crowd, looking bold in a strapless black power sheath. The collection was all about sexy, with hints of fetish in the slashed silk and peeks of lace. Caroline was the perfect face for this tough, sleek collection.
When we found out that this jaunt would be Caroline’s sole appearance at SPFW, we had to find out how Mr. Duek managed to reserve the top model. We hear she’ll appear on the July cover of Vogue Brasil wearing the Forum label. We can’t wait to see Caroline rock something exquisitely feminine and fierce!
This collection was Tufi Duek’s last as Forum’s creative director, and we knew he had one more surprise. While we expected to see Caroline close the show, we were shocked to see none other than Isabeli Fontana—in a demure white cap-sleeve dress—top off the night!
Earlier that day we saw Isabeli at the Iodice show, and seated front and center was Isabeli’s ex-boyfriend, pro polo player Ricardo Mansur. Isabeli is dating Brazilian singer Marcelo Falcão, so why was Ricardo there? And who was the pretty girl who snuck in beside him after the lights went down? When Isabeli passed by, Ricardo’s arm draped the girl and we caught the two share a glance. After the show, everyone was buzzing about the mystery girl. Finally, a Vogue Brasil staffer spread the word from a backstage source that the mystery woman was Isabeli’s booker!
Day Three
Cintia Dicker looked completely comfortable flaunting plunging cleavage and skimpy bikini bottoms walking for Água de Coco by Liana Thomaz’s sexy swim collection. We loved the Grecian touches, lush draping, and braided straps. But seeing Cintia’s trademark pout at the end of the catwalk really made the show. Before Cintia came out sporting Brazil’s national uniform—hello, teeny bikini!—we caught up with her backstage.
How does it feel to be back in São Paulo? It’s so good to be back…. It’s more relaxed here, and we all speak the same language backstage. All the girls are my friends, and it’s so much fun to see them! I will be walking in 11 shows. My boyfriend, Rafael Lazzini, came with me. He’s Brazilian, too. We met at SPFW six years ago. We went to live in New York and we got closer there. You know how it is, right? The two of us away from home…
What have you been up to lately? I just finished shooting a campaign with Banana Republic… It was so sensual, shooting outside in the rain. At the end of the month I am going back to New York to do a campaign for Macy’s. After SPFW, I am going to visit my family. My little sister Leticia Paz is 12 and she just started modeling! She walked in the Lilica Ripilica show in Rio.
Any beauty tips to share? I love that little shine that you put on the center of your nose to make it look thinner. I also love DiorShow mascara and use La Mer cream on my face.
What do you do to look sexy on the beach? I use a little makeup like blush and mascara. I just need a beautiful swimsuit and big, sexy sunglasses!
Day Four
Raquel Zimmermann headlined the Animale show in her sole runway appearance in São Paulo. Animale fans suspected that Raquel would lead the show—she’s been the line’s famous face for five years—and the cheering crowd welcomed her down the catwalk. The collection was tough and futuristic—think leather dresses, laser cutouts, and thick bondage-style belts. The models all sported identical smears of metallic green eye shadow and crimped hair. It was pure runway theater as Raquel starred in the designer’s vision of an otherworldly Amazonia. These looks certainly were not for the faint of heart, but somehow she made it look easy.
We hear that after this exclusive walk Raquel will stay in São Paulo to shoot the Animale summer campaign. Keeping with the show’s theme, she is rumored to be posing in a faux rainforest made of bamboo and trees over three days in a local studio. We wonder how many girls will be trying out skin-baring synthetics and crimped hair thanks to the supermodel next summer in Brazil…
Day Five
It wouldn’t be São Paulo Fashion Week without one last bikini show. Swimwear line Movimento by Tininha da Fonte proved to be the perfect end to a wild week by embracing everything Brazilians (and foreigners!) love about Brazil. There was sex appeal and national pride to spare with tiny bikinis, top models, tropical flowers, and a classic soundtrack by Caetano Veloso. The oversized flowers and lush greenery on the runway put the focus on the girls’ natural beauty and classic beachwear.
Ana Claudia Michels opened the show, followed by Ana Beatriz Barros and two up-and-comers, Gracie Carvalho and Bruna Tenorio. These girls worked the runway at almost every single show with such personality and style. We bet we’ll be seeing more of them in the very near future. Rest up, girls—we’ll see you in New York in September!
P.S. We’d let a model cut in line at the ladies’ room any day! There’s no such thing as a VIP powder room at SPFW, so the girls had to rush to the main bathroom in between shows. We’ll certainly miss brushing shoulders with the beautiful Brazilians now that SPFW is over. Tchau!
