Made in Brazil

A Brazilian On The Cover Of VMan 11?

18-year-old Renan Bonin, who you have seen here before, is currently the model with the most online votes on the VMan Ford Models Model Search 2008. The winner of the contest, however, will not be determined by the number of online votes, but by VMan's editor Stephen Gan. The overall winner will score a Ford modeling contract and the cover of VMan 11. The winner of the popular vote will guarantee a fashion story in the issue.

Brazilian Pablo Dias is also competing for the cover. Head over to vmagazine.com now and cast your vote.

A Semana: Gay Publications, Tourism, Kaká, And Rihanna

Brazil's newest gay publication called AIMÉ has apparently already been released, but nobody I know has seen an actual issue of the magazine. So far all that has surfaced is the cover with ex-Big Brother Brazil Fernando Fernandes.

Tourism minister Marta Suplicy stated this week that the government needs to implement more gay friendly policies in order for Brazil to start attracting more gay tourists than Argentina. Unfortunately the minister did not propose any solutions to the problem other than suggesting more support to the gay pride parades which take place in São Paulo, Rio, and Salvador. Now how about trying to make the country more safe in general for tourists, then focusing on the gay agenda?

Ford and V Man began their nationwide model search at the Diesel store in Union Square in New York this week, and Models.com has caught some of the action on video.

I am loving the cover of the new issue of OUT magazine featuring the 2008 Hot List, as well as some of the hottest male models around (unfortunately no Brazilians).

Soccer player Kaká is the only Brazilian featured on Time magazine's list of the world's 100 most influential people.

Talking about lists, head over to AfterElton and vote for who you think should make it to this year's list of the to 100 Hottest Guys.

DNA magazine launched DNAmobi online.

Singer Ricky Martin has reportedly paid US$8 million for an island off the coast of Rio, which I hope will lead to more pictures of him in speedos.

Maroon 5 and Rihanna team up in "If I Never See Your Face Again".

Brazilian funk group Bonde do Role will be performing at Europa in Brooklyn on May 14. Tickets can be purchased at Ticket Web.

Madam Andreia Schwartz will be hosting a party tonight at nightclub The House in Rio to celebrate the release of the May issue of Sexy magazine, for which she posed naked.

Model Izabel Goulart will be meeting fans and signing photos tomorrow afternoon from 2pm to 4pm at the Armani Exchange store in SoHo. Armani Exchange will be donating 10% of total sales at the store tomorrow to the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation, so make sure to stop by, shop, and email me pictures.

Anna Wintour Would Die

If she ever saw the latest issue of Brazilian Vogue , with Flavia de Oliveira on the cover. Aside from the pictures of newcomer Vanessa Cruz shot by Jacques Dequeker, and the beautiful advertorial for Iguatemi mall with Flavia, the issue manages to feature four totally boring spreads with exclusively black clothes for fall. How groundbreaking is that? And it gets worse, a Tufi Duek dress with silk roses appears in two editorials on the same issue, and two almost identical Gloria Coelho tulle numbers with sequined flowers are featured only a couple of pages apart. Was anyone paying attention?

As much as I like RG Vogue, a Brazilian twist on Vogue with gossip features, I am officially begging Conde Nast to buy the Vogue name back from Carta Editorial in São Paulo, and make sure that the country starts producing a better version of the magazine. We have the hottest models, great photographers, stylists, and even cool fashions. There is no excuse for putting out such a cheap product month after month.

Strike A Pose: Gisele, Raquel, Carol, And Oskar

The latest issue of Vogue, with La Bündchen and LeBron on the cover, is as Brazilian as Vogue America is ever going to get. Other than the biggest Brazilian export on the cover, Carol Trentini is on pretty much every feature, La Zimmermann has the hottest spread, and Oskar Metsavaht of Osklen gets a full-page nod.

And to think that the four of them are all Southern (like myself). More scans from Raquel's edit with Bryan Clay and Trentini's with Michael Phelps after the jump.

Speedo Feast On V

The new V Man with Ashton Kutcher is already on newstands, and it brings a sexy swimsuit spread with some Brazilian boys shot by JD Ferguson. When I saw some of the pictures on his blog yesterday, I asked him if I could post them. JD not only agreed but also sent me exclusive shots which you only see at Made In Brazil.

FYI, the boys above are Pedro Bissi and Brenno Rossi. One more exclusive shot after the jump.

Adriana Lima, GQ, Two Years Later

There is no way she is still a virgin. New GQ cover via Gawker. More pictures and a video at men.style.com.

A Semana: Gay Media, Gisele, Pato, And Naomi's Tumor

Actor Rodrigo Hilbert has been confirmed as the coverboy for the third issue of gay magazine DOM, making him the first straight actor to take the plunge. According to some of my sources, Junior magazine has a hot celeb in store for its fourth cover as well.

Brazil's porn G magazine shut its doors last Friday in São Paulo. The bankrupt publication was bought by Ad Business, which already owns several gay sites. Rumor has it that the entire staff is going to be revamped, and that the magazine will focus on more nudity and less content from now on.

Talking about gay media, check out more hot pictures of Pedro Virgil's Naked For A Cause.

V magazine has an exclusive peek at the images from the YSL spring campaign which haven't been released yet.

Preview images from the new Colcci fall ad campaign with Gisele, which will be unveiled on national magazines next week.

Tom Ford does GQ Russia (with the usual chest hair exposed).

Rising soccer star Alexandre Pato pays a visit to Nike in Beaverton to get some customized kicks.

Naomi was unleashed from the hospital in São Paulo last night, and is already been taken care of by her current Brazilian bf Marcus Elias. She had to undergo surgery over the weekend to remove a tumor. No nurses were harmed during her stay.

Quick note: just got the new Shapeshifters and Jason Nevins mixes for Leona Lewis' Bleeding Love, and they are off the hook.

Isabeli Back On Top (And Twice On W)

I did not think she would pull it off but she did. After giving birth to her second son and enduring her second divorce, Brazilian bombshell Isabeli Fontana managed to book every major show so far this season, from Michael Kors to Prada, and to get back on Models.com Top 10 on the eighth sloth.

This month Isabeli scored two features on W magazine, in stories shot by Mert and Marcus, and by Mario Sorrenti.

A Semana: Spring Fashions, Magazines, Golden Flip Flops, And American Idol

Lindsay Lohan channels Marilyn Monroe on the cover of the latest issue of New York Magazine. Make sure to check it out for all the latest in spring fashions, and an interview with Vogue Paris editor Carine Roitfeld.

Designer Kim Jones styled La Bündchen in a selection of vintage 80's pieces for the new issue of V magazine, which hits newstands March 6th. And since am talking about Gisele, the model has been tapped as the new face of Max Factor. Her two-year deal is rumored to be worth $2.5 million.

Singer Lovefoxx from CSS is on the cover of the March issue of Dazed & Confused, looking a lot like Bjork.

Globo network has won the bid for the rights to develop a mini-series based on the movie "Tropa de Elite," which won the Golden Bear in Berlin over the weekend.

Alpargatas created special Havaianas for the Oscars this year. Actors such as George Clooney, Daniel Day-Lewis, and Javier Bardem, all received an exclusive golden pair of the Brazilian flip flops. Cate Blanchett and other actresses got one encrusted with Swarovski crystals.

Matthew McConaughey stars in the new ad for Dolce & Gabbana's fragrance The One.

Beginning this week, iTunes will offer downloads of every performance from the top 24 American Idol semifinalists (and you know I will be spending my money on David Archuleta). On more American Idol news, Alicia Keys will go on tour with last season's winner Jordin Sparks.

Quick note: finally saw Sweeney Todd this weekend, and loved it.

The Sports Illustrated Girls

The 2008 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue is already on newstands, and the four Brazilians gracing its pages this year are Ana Beatriz Barros, Jeisa, Yasmin Brunet, and Daniela Sarahyba.

View their pictures for the magazine at:
Ana Beatriz Barros
Jeisa Chiminazzo
Yasmin Brunet
Daniela Sarahyba

I really wish Emanuela de Paula had been booked for it as well, but I guess she was busy doing other things, like a major Victoria's Secret campaign.

Alice Braga In The Hollywood Issue

Brazilian actress Alice Braga is definitely the female Rodrigo Santoro (and maybe more). You may have recently seen her star opposite Will Smith in I Am Legend, and this month she gets a much coveted spot on the fold-out cover of Vanity Fair, next to the likes of Emily Blunt, America Ferrera, and Jessica Biel.

In case you can't tell, she is the one above Ellen Page. Click on image to enlarge.

Too Hot For Monday: David Jensen

The Brazilian model scores the cover of the Out magazine's homorrific swimsuit issue, shot in Miami by photographer Nino Muñoz.

Make sure to get a copy of the magazine asap. The swimsuit editorial is beyond hot, and even better than last year's, which was shot in Rio. Click here and here for a preview of David Jensen and his fellow water boys.

André Ziehe Does DOM

In my honest opinion, the best thing about the new gay magazine DOM which launched last week is the editorial with André Ziehe, who just so happens to be one of my favorite models. However, only because the magazine claims to not want to focus on fashion and targets an older gay customer, I find the styling of the spread extremely odd and out of place. Lucky for DOM Mr. Ziehe is not capable of taking a bad picture.

More of André Ziehe in the first issue of DOM here, and after the jump.

A Semana: Stalking Cauã, Beckham In Brazil, And Toys For Tots

Cauã Reymond attended the opening of a new Hering store in Ipanema yesterday with girlfriend Grazi Massafera. The actor (and Hottest Brazilian Of The Year nominee) is currently shooting a movie in São Paulo.

David Beckam will be making a pit stop in Brazil this month. He lands on the 28th, and will be in Natal for two days shooting a campaign for a new real estate development.

Hilary Swank graces the January cover of W magazine.

If you can't wait to see Tim Burton's movie adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Tood, click here to preview the opening sequence.

New York magazine looks back at the year in movies.

Style.com looks back at the year in fashion (and at Balenciaga's $159,000 robot leggings and the omnipresent Marc Jacobs).

2008 is going to be all about floral prints. Doubt it? Check out the latest issue of Vogue Italia, photographed by Meisel.

Model Marcelle Bittar is going to be presenting a TV show about fashion at Record Rio. The first episode airs this Saturday at 12:30 pm.

Bruna Tenorio scores a major new gig for Shiseido.

Christmas is around the corner, and am happy to see Brazilian gay clubs involved in charity work. This coming Friday, nightclub Blue Space will open exclusively for an event put together by Manhunt to support children who are HIV+. Admission will be free with the donation of a new toy. The last edition of the bear-oriented Woof Party this year, which takes place at Ocean Club this Friday as well, will offer reduced admission for anyone who brings a toy to donate.

Talking about parties, this Friday there is another edition of AleLux at Gloria with DJs Johnny Luxo and Ale Herchcovitch. On Sunday, The Week Rio will be hosting its first day party at the club's brand new outdoor pool area.

The Last Soccer Player To Undress This Year

25-year-old Wagner Limeira is the second soccer player to grace the cover of G magazine and pose for the publication this year. More after the jump (warning: semi-NSFW).

A Semana: Isabeli's Comeback, The Best Swimmer Of 2007, Condom Machines, And Movies

A year after giving birth to her second child, Isabeli Fontana is making a big comeback this season: she booked the Victoria's Secret show, stars in the current lingerie campaign for H&M, booked the next issue of Numero shot by Greg Kadel, and will appear in a 20-page spread in the next Vogue Paris shot by Peter Lindbergh.

Forget about naked models and designers, the next issue of Visionaire will be devoted to your senses. The new Visionaire Sound will come with five 12-inch vinyls and 2 CDs in a limited edition of 4,000 copies, at a price tag of $250.

The latest issue of Flaunt magazine celebrates 25 years of Calvin Klein underwear with a spread featuring some of the hottest male models around, such as Garret Neff and Brazilian Romulo Pires.

Thiago Pereira is voted best swimmer of the year by the readers of Swimming World , beating Michael Phelps.

Unique and affordable destination: Fernando de Noronha gets reviewed by The Today Show.

Vegas in São Paulo is going to be the first club in the city to feature a condom machine available on premises. In a pioneer project in the country in the fight against AIDS and STDs, club goers will no longer have to worry about having condoms or lube on them in case they get lucky. The machines will be installed in several gay and straight clubs throughout the city.

The controversial Brazilian movie Tropa de Elite may not have been selected to represent the country at next year's Academy Awards, but its Oscar hopes are not over yet: with an American debut set for next year, director José Padilha is intent on having his picture run for the main Oscar categories in 2009, as an example of what happened with City Of God.

Who knew there was a movie adaptation of Cleopatra in Brazil? It took home the award for best film at Brasília's Film Festival this week, but the audience apparently did not agree with the choice. Director Julio Bressane was booed during his acceptance speech. I can only imagine how bad it sucks.

I absolutely love this screentest Natalie Portman just did for the New York Times.

Dissecting November's Vogue Brazil

Month after month I have been buying Vogue Brazil in hopes that an editor will have an epiphany and turn the magazine into Latin America's most coveted fashion book. Month after month I get disappointed when I open the magazine, and November was no different.

Let's start with the cover: who is responsible for picking it? Because whoever that person is, it needs to be the first one to be fired. The last three covers have been far below mediocre, and November's was just the icing on the cake this year. When you have access to Izabel Goulart and Carol Ribeiro, what is newcomer Isadora di Domenico doing on the cover? If the covers of Vogue Brazil are bought by modeling agencies like everyone says, this one was a big waste of money.

The only great thing that comes out of the navy-inspired edit from the cover are Jacques Dequeker's pictures of Rio from the roof of the new Fasano. The clothes are weak, and you know my take on the choice of model already.

Surprisingly, the edit that follows is the best thing about the magazine. Stylist Matheus Mazzafera had turned out some of the worst outfit choices seen in the magazine throughout the year, but may have just proved that he has actual potential to become an innovator by taking a chance with newcomer Loris Kramer in her Vogue debut, and by mixing designer pieces with beachwear in an effective way for the first time in his young career. The fact that Rafael Lazzini is part of the mix and that Gui Paganini shot the piece does help too.

The neo pirate spread with Izabel Goulart is nothing new, but does feature a good selection of pieces for the beach. How can you go wrong with Izabel Goulart's slamming body in swimsuits? SHE would have been a great cover.

Closing the editorials produced in the country is a selection of the dullest cruise outfits worn by Caroline Ribeiro. Not even she manages to make them look desirable.

And on that note, I am waiting to see some improvement in December. I don't criticize the publication for any other reason than the fact that I believe it has the potential to be a lot more than it is. There is a vast array of top notch photographers and stylists in this country, as well as an amazing selection of clothes and models to pick from, so there is no excuse for uninspired work. Why is it that you never see Vogue Brazil in most newstands in cities such as New York, when on the same place you can find several copies of Vogue China? I think it is time for the editors to step up their game.

A Semana: Brazilianizers, Mark Ronson, K-Fed, And Dykerama

A crowd of Brazilianizers took over luxury boutique Daslu in São Paulo this past Friday: Hamish Bowles and Michael Roberts both debuted their new books, while Liz Hurley introduced her line of swimwear.

Ex-Formula 1 racer Michael Schumacher went tanning in his balcony at the new Fasano Rio yesterday. He was in the country for a kart grand prix organized by Brazilian Felipe Massa.

Hot DJ and producer Mark Ronson will be spinning this Thursday at club Royal in São Paulo as part of Motomix 2007.

Artist (and Björk's husband) Matthew Barney is putting the final touches in an installation set to open to the public in Minas Gerais early next year.

Britney's ex Kevin Federline scores the cover of the Details' most influential men issue. The magazine's power list includes Disney hotties like Zac Efron, the Google founders, Perez Hilton, and Ryan Seacrest.

Model Raquel Zimmermann is featured in the Craig McDean Topsy-Turvy story, in the latest issue of W magazine.

Check out New York magazine's latest fashion publication, Look, and make sure to read the feature on Lanvin's Alber Elbaz.

In the next couple of weeks the girls in Brazil will be getting a website especially devoted to lesbian news and happenings, properly entitled Dykerama.

Brazilian Editora Abril canceled the project for its upcoming gay publication called Romeu.

The movie hit Tropa de Elite inspired a gay spoof on YouTube: As Bis De Elite is hilarious if you understand Portuguese.

Surf Rider

I have to say that my friend Lu Bortolotti is doing an excellent job at Cool magazine now that he finally took over the fashion editor title. The latest issue of the magazine with Brazil's Next Top Model presenter Fernanda Motta on the cover features one of the best men's edits I have seen in Brazilian magazines in a while, inspired by surf. I managed to get a few exclusive pictures to share with you here.

Larger images after the jump, and at Cool magazine.

Junior Deux And Alair Gomes

The second issue of the country's newest gay publication, Junior, hit newstands this week. I have not got a copy of it yet, but luckily I had an entire b&w swimsuit spread delivered to my mailbox before the issue went to print.

From what I hear, there is already much improvement on the second issue of the magazine, and the editorials I have seen so far look amazing, and much more focused than those from the first issue. I am particularly attached to the one published here since it was inspired by photographer Alair Gomes. I have been completely obsessed about Alair's work for the past year, and it seems that the magazine editors are on my same frame of mind. I was asked to write the intro to the editorial but am not sure yet if it made to print.

The pictures above were shot in Rio by Fernando Torquatto as a tribute to the late Alair Gomes. There are many other incredible edits in the new issue of Junior, and you will be getting exclusive pictures here soon. For the time being, head over to MixBrasil for a look at some pictures which did not make it into the magazine.

All About Trentini

The latest issue of mag! is going to make fashion history in Brazil: Caroline Trentini is in simply every single editorial feature, photographed by the likes of Rogério Cavalcanti, Gui Paganini, and Jacques Dequeker. Make sure to get a copy of it asap.

Check out a making of video of the issue at SPFW. In it, Carol gives you a lesson of what modeling is all about. No wonder Anna Wintour loves her.

A Semana: Purple, Project Runway, Heroes, And Blackout

The eight issue of Purple Fashion magazine with coverboy Andre Saraiva is already on newstands. It features a travel spread shot in Rio by Terry Richardson, which is causing a little controversy in Brazil thanks to pictures of a few naked models.

Photographer Marcelo Krasilcic shares some of his pictures for the latest issue of Butt magazine on his blog.

Gay media in Brazil keeps on growing: Drops magazine has a gay-oriented publication in the works for early 2008, to be edited by Marcos Costa (a.k.a. Carioca Virtual).

Fashion Rio has confirmed dates for the fall shows: the event will take place at Marina da Gloria from January 7 to January 12. São Paulo Fashion Week starts right after, on January 16.

Brazilian BRA Airlines shut down its operations today, canceling all of its flights, and laying off 1,100 employees. The company had 4.6% of the domestic market share.

On the new primetime soap Duas Caras, Bernardinho was caught in bed with another man.

Project Runway kicked off its new season with a runway preview at Lincoln Center. The NY Post talked to Heidi and the judges.

Have you seen the latest episode of Heroes? I saw it last night as I cannot watch it on Mondays in Brazil. Not only was I treated to a shirtless Milo Ventimiglia extravaganza, but also to the best episode so far this season. Could the absence of the new Mexican girl with the petroleum eyes have something to do with it?

Have you seen the new Spice Girls video for Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)? Whoever lit that feast of egos should get an award for best special effects in next year's VMAs. Miss Beckham alone in Dolce & Gabbana makes it worth watching it.

Britney's latest release Blackout debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200, with first-week sales of 290,000 copies. The Eagles' first new studio album in 28 years, Long Road Out of Eden, took the first slot thanks to a revised chart policy that will now allow exclusive album titles that are only available through one retailer to appear on The Billboard 200 and other charts.

V Covergirl

Not only did Raquel Zimmermann score the cover of the 50th issue of V magazine, but also a very appropriate 50-page editorial by David Sims.

I have absolutely no idea how she finds the time to shoot so much editorial work. More here.

The magazine hits newstands this week. Can't wait to get it in Brazil.

The Forbidden Fruit

Another delicious shot of Evandro Soldati in the latest Visionaire, by Mert & Marcus.

More here.

Like Evandro, designer Marc Jacobs also undressed for the duo of photographers. The result is after the jump (NSFW).

Evandro's Privates

If you are lucky enough to get your hands on Visionaire #52, you get to see Evandro Soldati wearing nothing but a veil, photographed by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott.

Click here for the version sans star (warning: NSFW), and watch the promo clip at Visionaire.

Buff Jacobs

I had posted the cover of the latest Arena Homme with Marc Jacobs over a week ago, but only got an actual copy of the magazine yesterday in New York. Here are some scans of the interview with Marc.

I am loving that designers are having a shirtless moment (see Tom Ford on Out in case you haven't yet). More of Marc at Arena Homme after the jump.

Speedo Sundays: Frozen Margarita

From the latest Numero Homme, photographed by Matthias Vriens.

More (sans speedos involved) after the jump.

The Greatest Player On Earth

Brazilian soccer player Kaká maintains his model status on the cover of the November issue of British Esquire.

Now I highly recommend you keep an eye on Alexandre Pato, who I believe has the same fashion potential as Kaká.

The 50 Sexiest Brazilians

Magazine Istoé Gente released its new issue devoted to the 50 sexiest Brazilians last week, and I am glad to see that Duda Nagle and Malvino Salvador were not forgotten.

Other names on the list include Marcos Pasquim, Cauã Reymond, Reynaldo Gianecchini, Dado Dolabella, and top chef Alex Atala (who I had no idea has several tattoos).

A Semana: BRNTM, Project Runway, Roisin Murphy, And Tom Ford

The first season of Brazil's Next Top Model premiered last week on Sony. I missed the first episode and the launch party since am in New York, but will do my best to keep you posted on the show as soon as I am in Brazil.

I can't wait for the new season of Project Runway to begin. Check out the new cast online.

Preview Roisin Murphy's new album Overpowered online immediately. I have been playing it non-stop for a week now. Arjan sat down with her for an interview last week.

Porn star Francois Sagat gives a sexy rendition of Ms. Britney Spears' Gimme More while brushing his teeth.

Björk talks to Estado de São Paulo about the future of music, Brazil, and her tour to promote Volta. She plays in Brazil later this month.

After being closed for three months, nightclub Glória reopened in São Paulo last Friday.

The first edition of the Eight Party, Pacha's new gay party, took place in São Paulo yesterday.

Tom Ford gets naked in the shower with male models in the latest issue of Out magazine, photographed by none other than Terry Richardson.

Brad Pitt takes the cover of Italian GQ this month.

Genre magazine gets a much welcomed makeover and new website.

Models.com lists the top male modeling agencies in New York.

Marc In Power

Marc Jacobs is getting pretty used to posing shirtless for magazines this year: he did it for Out in September, and now again for the latest issue of Arena Homme +, shot by his partner in crime Juergen Teller.

If you got it, flaunt it.