Cool Hunting

Brasileirismos, or Brazil-isms, is admittedly a redundant theme for the already distinctly Brazilian collections at the Winter 2009 edition of São Paulo Fashion Week, which ended last Friday. The biggest change, compared to past seasons, was the massive influx of international journalists flown in (including our own Ami Kealoha and Greg Mitnick; video forthcoming) to provide coverage of an event whose organizers are pushing for it to stay on the fashion map.

2nd Floor was strong all around (above). Taking inspiration from the 40's and 50's era of aviation, the result as a romantic collection of skirts with plane appliques, bomber jackets and schoolboy looks.

Do Estilista bounced back to form after last season's fantasy-fueled outfits. This year designer Marcelo Sommer used prints taken off tiles and dishrags from Holland (above).

The Cavalera show took on a mysticism and folklorism inspired by an annual festival that takes place on the Brazilian Amazonian island of Paratins. Animal prints appeared among colorful, saturated pieces (below left).

Oestudio came through again with their expected element of surprise, integrating social commentary into fashion. This year they seemed to criticize society's tendency to turn a blind eye to serious issues (above right).

Always intriguing and fascinating, Osklen's collection used cotton sweatsuit material to create rather conceptual pieces. Playing with volume and unexpected pinnings created interesting silhouettes. Proving that function need not come at the cost of appeal, I especially enjoyed their rubber items (above).

Also on Cool Hunting SPFW Summer 2009 and SPFW Winter 2008.