Made in Brazil

The Body From Brazil

Alessandra Ambrosio sizzles (as usual) in the new issue of Arena.

The cover and spread were obviously shot either before or at early stages of her pregnancy. More after the jump.

A Semana: Gisele, CFDA, Madonna, Bears, And A New Mega Club

Gisele's bum is up for sale, sort of. Christie's New York will be auctioning a collection of photography from collector Gert Elfering next month, and portrait of Gisele by Irving Penn is expected to go for over $30,000.

A pregnant Alessandra Ambrósio was in Rio this past weekend shooting the new campaign for UK retailer Next, and RG Vogue has pictures.

The 2008 CFDA Fashion Awards nominees were announced, and Brazilian Francisco Costa got a nod for Womenswear Designer Of The Year for his work at Calvin Klein. He is up against Proenza Schouler and Marc Jacobs. The ceremony will take place June 2.

Tom Ford, who was nominated for a CFDA for Menswear Designer Of The Year, is going to father a child in 2008.

Uniqlo invited four international designers to create capsule collections. Brazilian Juliana Jabour was one of them, so expect lots of striped jersey dresses hitting the stores this month.

Madonna was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Justin Timberlake last night: "The world is full of Madonna wannabes. I might have even dated a couple. But there truly is only one Madonna."

Seal will be touring Brazil from March 26 to April 3, with shows scheduled in São Paulo, Rio, Curitiba, and Porto Alegre.

The recent boom in the Brazilian gay bear market will result in the opening of a new bar in São Paulo right around Gay Pride in May. There are already three bear parties happening in the country: Bearland, Woof, and Ursound.

Another massive gay club is set to open in São Paulo later this month, on March 29. Created by the owners of Bubu Lounge, Megga Fun will open on Saturdays only, meaning it will be an alternative to the muscle boys who do not want to go to The Week. The club will hold 3,000 people.

Openly gay Big Brother Brazil contestant Marcelo is up for elimination tonight against my crush Rafinha. I am voting for Marcelo to go as Rafinha is the only reason to watch the show. Besides that, Marcelo is just too freaking annoying.

Stalking Allie Ambrose

Shooting for Victoria's Secret in Miami, and piling up bikini pictures before her belly starts to show (in case you have been living under a rock, Alessandra announced recently that she is pregnant).

My favorite bikini pose after the jump.

A Semana: Carnival, Angels, SPFW, Alessandra Ambrósio, And Will Smith

CNN features a guide on how to celebrate and survive Carnival in Rio de Janeiro. If you are heading that way (singer Fergie is), make sure to read it.

Ford's Supermodel Of The World contest takes place tomorrow night in New York.

Adriana Lima will appear in Victoria's Secret new Super Bowl ad, which will run only once during the game for a mere $2.7 million.

Victoria's Secret angel Alessandra Ambrósio is pregnant from bf Jaime Mazur.

Victoria's Secret angel Izabel Goulart kicks off São Paulo Fashion Week tomorrow at the Forum Tufi Duek show. She is booked with exclusivity for the designer's fall campaign.

Model Juliana Imai is booked exclusively for the Ellus show and the brand's ad campaign, to be shot by Jacques Dequeker this season.

Actor Will Smith kissed a cardboard version of Brazilian actress Alice Braga last night in Rio at the premiere of I Am Legend . The actress could not attend due to other work commitments.

Keira Knightley and James McAvoy score the cover of W magazine. I just actually saw the two of them in Atonement last Friday, and highly recommend the movie.

Photographer Joe Oppedisano celebrates the Calvin Klen man in the latest Collezioni Uomo.

The Sexiest Woman In The World Is Brazilian

Alessandra Ambrosio sizzles on the cover of the January issue of Brazilian Rolling Stone.

A Semana: NYE, Brazilianizers, and Mr. Gay

DSquared2 twins Dean and Dan Caten spent New Year's at Chopin building in Rio.

Four million people watched the fireworks from the beach in Rio de Janeiro this year. O Globo Online has a picture gallery of the festivities.

I am saddened to report that one person died at Posto 9 in Ipanema during a shooting, and that five people were hurt by stray bullets in Copacabana on NYE.

My friend and blogger Italo talks about the parties in Rio on his blog. From what I heard, nightclub The Week reigned supreme in its first new year in the city, and Chris Cox was the best DJ.

Check out MixBrasil for a selection of pictures of the parties in Rio.

Rumors on Brazilian papers had everyone thinking Paris Hilton would spend NYE at Cafe de la Musique in Floripa. Paris ended up in Las Vegas, but models Alessandra Ambrosio, Izabel Goulart, Jeisa, Oluchi, and Fernanda Motta were there. Actor Jared Leto also chose the place to spend NYE.

Mary J. Blige performed Just Fine and Alicia Keys sang Like You'll Never See Me Again to ring in the new year in New York.

January 12 has been confirmed as the date for the first edition of the Creamfields festival in Punta del Este. The line up of DJs includes the likes of Hernán Cattaneo, Seb Fontaine, Jimmy Van M, S.O.S., and others.

It is time to get online and vote for Brazilian Luciano Lupo in the International Mr. Gay Competition.

Too Hot For Monday: The Brazilian Angels

The Victoria's Secret fashion show was taped last Thursday in Los Angeles, and will air on December 4 on CBS. This year's show had a much smaller percentage of Brazilian angels than last year's: Raquel, Carol, Jeisa, and Gisele, did not strut down the runway in wings. The girls on board though, Adriana, Alessandra, Izabel, Flavia, and Isabeli, looked hotter than ever. Adriana opened.

It always surprises me that Flavia has such a hot body. More pictures of the show available at men.style.com.

If The Wings Look Cute...

Watch Alessandra Ambrósio at her fitting for tonight's Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.

Note: AP should spell her last name right next time.

A Semana: Madonna, SexyBack, Angel Alessandra Ambrósio, And Sexual Diversity

Add Kanye West to the list of collabos on Madonna's upcoming album. While Madonna was putting the finishing touches to her album at RecordPlant studios in Los Angeles last week, Kanye West was working on the new Michael Jackson album in the room next door. Pharrell invited Kanye in to meet Madonna, and she came up with an idea for Kanye to rap on one of her songs on the spot. On More Madonna news, she is supposed to film her cameo on Annie Lennox's new video for Sing within the next 2 weeks.

Missy Elliott brings SexyBack in a new remix of Justin Timberlake's hit.

Alicia Keys goes Grays Anatomy on us on her new video for Like You'll Never See Me Again, loaded with tears and running maskara.

Milo Ventimiglia goes shirtless again in Heroes, in the first episode this season which answered a lot of pending questions. I would still be hooked on it even if Milo were to keep his shirt on.

People magazine names Matt Damon Sexiest Man Alive.

Model Alessandra Ambrósio talks to Brazil's Chic about being a Victoria's Secret angel, tomorrow night's fashion show, and her favorite Spice Girl.

Von Dutch trucker hats and tees will be available in Floripa starting today thanks to the opening of the brand's first flagship store in South America. I don't want to sound negative, but even in Brazil Von Dutch hats are already so-three-years-ago.

The 15th Annual MixBrasil Festival, celebrating sexual diversity in film and video, kicked off last night in São Paulo. The line up includes 179 films, 8 parties, and the famous Show do Gongo. After November 22, the festival heads to Porto Alegre, Rio, and Brasilia.

Alessandra And Diego Sizzling For Zoomp

I had posted one of the spring ads for Zoomp back in August, and here are new ones, also highlighting Diego Querzoli's serious eight pack.

Eat Your Heart Out

Needless to say, the picture below made my Friday night.

Thanks Greg and Alessandra for sharing the love.

Ms. Allie Ambrose is reportedly the highest-paid model in the US at the moment thanks to her Victoria's Secret contract. She is on the cover of both Ocean Drive and the latest British GQ.

And in case you haven't seen the Victoria's Secret ad on Vanity Fair yet, here it is (avec fellow Brazilian angels Izabel Goulart and Adriana Lima).

Zoomp Brings Sexy (And Diego) Back

Jeanswear label Zoomp has so far come up with my favorite spring ad campaign in the country. The ads shot by Jacques Dequeker not only feature Alessandra Ambrósio (in an exclusive deal with the label), but also model Diego Querzoli, who had been absent from the pages of Brazilian magazines for a while.

Is that an 8-pack? There is an enlarged picture of Diego after the jump.

SPFW: Alessandra For Zoomp, Hip Hop Fashions, The Beatles, And Gucci Resort

Alessandra Ambrosio was the big attraction yesterday at Zoomp. She opened the show followed by a league of Brazilian supermodels which included Fabiana Semprebom, Bruna Tenorio, and Emanuela de Paula. The collection was filled with the same menswear references from last season, and transparencies, which are becoming a trend on the runways here. While the collection failed to excite, the shirtless male models in the end certainly did the trick.

The debut of AfroReggae happened yesterday at the Ibirapuera Auditorium. The set designed by Gringo Cardia was very cool, the drums performance in the end was over the top, and I loved that the label opted for an all-black cast. There was only one thing missing: a good collection to go with it. Unfortunately, it looked like a Macy's fashion show sponsored by Russell Simmons.

The hip hop fashions yesterday were not only seen at AfroReggae. Fergie was the inspiration behind the Triton collection, but even the jeans embroidered with so delicious and all the leopard prints failed to bring some ghetto glamour to the runway. Next time Tufi Duek should call Kimora Lee Simmons for advice.

Was it just me or did Ellus send out the exact same collection this spring as it did last fall? Aside from the palette of mostly earth tones and grays, even some of the graphic prints were exactly alike the ones I saw six months ago. And I have another question: what was it with The Beatles printed on tanks, jackets, and pants? It had absolutely nothing to do with the collection.

Apparently models had a rough time with their shoes this morning at Isabela Capeto's show. Lais Oliveira (a.k.a. Lais Navarro) did not think twice and took them off.

Here are two other trends I have noticed already here: exposed zippers, and celebrities changing outfits between shows.

Tonight Alexandre Herchcovitch and Johnny Luxo team up for another edition of their Alelux party at club Gloria. Last season it was a lot of fun, and music was excellent. Remember that you must wear a hat to get in.

In New York, Frida Giannini at Gucci showed how a resort collection should really look like. Why can't anyone here in São Paulo come up with something similar? Camila Finn represented for the Brazilian girls.

Want a more sarcastic view of São Paulo Fashion Week? Check out SP Machion Week and Papel Pop.

Fashions aside, here is a little reminder: you still have 21 days to vote for the Christ Redeemer as one of the New 7 Wonders Of The World.

Fashion Rio: Surprise Models, Knock-Offs, Alessandra Ambrosio, and More Pride

Jeísa Chiminazzo, Fabiana Semprebom, and Marcelle Bittar surprised everyone yesterday in the evening at the Animale show. The all-star cast of the fiery show also counted with the likes of Izabel Goulart and Flavia de Oliveira. Nothing like great models to make a collection work on the runway. Raquel Zimmermann once again was a no-show.

Actor Dado Dolabella and model Paulo Zulu got the crowd going yesterday night at the Sandpiper show.

The biggest attraction of Thursday night was the Blue Man swimwear extravaganza at the Copacabana Palace, followed by a party right after. The ballroom at the hotel is simply extraordinary.

The most talked about article this week in Rio is the one published on Piaui magazine about Brazilian designer knocking off pieces from the runways in Milan and Paris. As much controversy as it has generated, every word in the article is true, and it is extremely well written. If you can get a copy of the magazine, I highly recommend it.

Tomorrow in New York, model Alessandra Ambrosio will be meeting fans and signing photos from 2 to 4pm at the Armani Exchange store in SoHo. Armani Exchange will be donating 10% of the day's sales to benefit the Multiple Sclerosis Society. That alone is a good reason for Alessandra to be absent from the runways in Rio this week.

Talking about Alessandra, she may be joined by Miss Brazil Natália Guimarães at the next Victoria's Secret show. Rumor has it that the runner up to the Miss Universe title was approached by Victoria's Secret right after the pageant. She is supposed to be meeting with the company in the next two weeks.

The Gay Pride festivies took over São Paulo. DJ Victor Calderone got the party started on Wednesday night at The Week.

A Semana: Chad White, Queer Art, Angels, And A Visit From The Pope

Model Chad White undressed for the latest issue issue of Out magazine, photographed by Francois Rousseau in Equestrian fashions. Madonna would have been proud.

The New York Times reported on a new generation of gay art.

Brazilian bombshell Alessandra Ambrosio is gracing the cover of British GQ, which brings a special report on Victoria's Secret fashion show (as well as pictures of angels Adriana Lima, Izabel Goulart, and Ana Beatriz Barros).

Naomi is on the cover of W, sharing her community service diaries (and Steven Klein portfolio) with fashion readers over the globe.

Designer Alexandre Herchcovitch autographed his book in São Paulo. Cartas a um Jovem Estilista (or Letters To A Young Designer) is not only a retrospective of his career, but also a guide to new designers and students.

Pope Benedict XVI landed in Brazil today on a mission to strengthen the control of the church in the country. In spite of Brazil being the world's most populous Roman Catholic country, the Roman Catholic church is reported to be losing 8,000 members a day in the country to evangelical Protestant churches, and other faiths. Could that be because of the Pope's position when it comes to issues such abortion and safe sex? NGOs will host a protest this evening in São Paulo against the presence of Benedict XVI in the country, homophobia, illegal abortions (the procedure is illegal in Brazil), and AIDS.

Speedo Break: actress Deborah Secco and soccer player bf Roger make a splash at the beach.

Alessandra Ambrósio Does A/X

Brazilian bombshell Alessandra Ambrósio keeps riding high. As if being featured on Entourage last week alongside Izabel Goulart and scoring the covers of both Ocean Drive and Vegas were not enough, Alessandra is the Brazilian of choice in the new Armani Exchange summer 2007 "Pool Party" campaign, and Made In Brazil has an exclusive first look.

The campaign was shot by Tom Munro in an outdoor studio, with male models Ambrose Olsen and Vinci. Click here for more exclusive pictures, and visit Towleroad for a little more with Ambrose Olsen.

Previous A/X campaigns have featured Brazilian models Leo Peixoto, Liliane Ferrarezzi, and João Velutini. A/X just opened stores in Rio at shopping Leblon, and in São Paulo at Morumbi Shopping.

A Semana: Magazine Covers, Padded Underwear, And Kelly Clarkson

Model Flavia de Oliveira is gracing the cover of Brazilian Elle this month. My sources also tell me that she has just shot a Lanvin story for American Vogue, as well as the new Benetton ad campaign with David Sims.

Still on the topic of magazine covers, Alessandra Ambrósio gets double exposure on the covers of Vegas and Ocean Drive. Carol Trentini and Raquel Zimmermann are amongst the new supermodels on the cover of the May issue of Vogue.

Bruna Tenório is on the cover Herchcovitch fall 2007 catalog, which includes landscape pictures shot in her native Alagoas, and in Rio Grande do Sul. The catalog also features runway pictures by Marcio Madeira, and backstage shots.

Instead of sexy Brazilian models, Bazaar offers three different covers with Gwen Stefani this month.

I am not one for faking it, but underwear label Mash released a line of undies with padding either in the front pouch or back area. I am just not sure if the product is necessary in Brazil.

The remix of Kelly Clarkson's single Never Again hits the internet. It is the first single of her third album My December, which I simply cannot wait to listen to. Never Again makes its radio debut tomorrow.

Brazilianizer Of The Week: Justin Timberlake

Justin Timberlake performed at last Thursday's taping of the Victoria's Secret fashion show, and it seems to me like he was paying a lot of attention to Brazilian models Alessandra Ambrosio and Raquel Zimmermann. Can you blame him? It is all about a sexy Brazilian back.

Angels On A Plane

The Victoria's Secret fashion show will take place in Los Angeles instead of New York this Thursday, and the world's biggest models are getting there on board of a chartered plane. Pictured below are VIP angels (meaning the models with a multi-million dollar contract) Selita Ebanks, Karolina Kurkova, Adriana Lima, Gisele, Izabel Goulart and Alessandra Ambrosio. 4 out of 6 of them are Brazilian.

I am glad to see that Flavia de Oliveira is on call as well. If anything ever happened with this plane, there would be no fashion editorials for months.

Hugs & Kisses From Alessandra

Victoria's Secret angel Alessandra Ambrosio lends her sex appeal (and long legs) to XOXO this season. More ads after the jump.