Made in Brazil

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.

Fall Belonged To Aline

If I had to pick out a breakthrough Brazilian star this season, it would certainly have to be Aline Weber. She had already scored some pretty major bookings in New York, but Paris made her THE girl to watch. With a Balenciaga look #1 under her belt, and bookings at Stella McCartney, Chloe, Lanvin, and Louis Vuitton, it is clear that her international career has already taken off.

Aline was picked as one of the top 10 newcomers in Europe by Models.com.

Reaching For Super Model Status

Brazilian Aline Weber has had her share of opening shows in São Paulo and Rio, but up until this season her international career hadn't really taken off. Now after pretty strong bookings in New York, she managed to do the impossible: Aline opened Balenciaga yesterday.

Her booker's phone must be ringing non-stop today.

As for Balenciaga, it is amazing that Mr. Ghesquiere took the daring shapes he presented for spring to a complete new realm. And if I may add, I loved it that he opened with some fuck me heels. View the collection at Style.com, and watch it on video here.

Brazilianizer Of The Week: Bar Rafaeli

Posing with a t-shirt from the Brazilian soccer team (and her dad) yesterday in São Paulo.

Bar is in the city shooting a campaign for clothing label Besni. She flies back to the US tonight. (Image Source)

A Semana: Mr. Gay, Naomi In The Hospital, Money Girls, And A Shocking Soccer Accident

Your next trip to Brazil may be more expensive: the US dollar keeps on going down against the Brazilian real. The exchange rate is now the lowest in the past nine years, at R$ 1,696.

Argentinian Carlos Meliá, winner of the International Mr. Gay Competition, spent the weekend in the country doing press conferences and TV appearances to promote the event. Carlos also had time for an interview and photoshoot for an upcoming issue of Junior magazine. Watch a making of video and his interview on MixBrasil.

The third season of Lost debuts tonight on Brazilian TV. In it, Rodrigo Santoro actually dubbed his character Paulo in Portuguese. He had already done the same for the movie 300.

I have a new reason to watch Desperate Housewives.

Leonardo DiCaprio's gf Bar Rafaeli is the Brazilianizer of the week. She landed in São Paulo yesterday, and is shooting a campaign for a clothing line all day today.

Another Brazilianizer is also in São Paulo: model Naomi Campbell underwent surgery at a hospital this past Sunday, and is still there. No word yet on what the surgery was for.

Models.com unveils the Top 25 Money Girls, and the list is dominated by Brazilians.

In one of the worst soccer accidents I have ever seen, Brazilian-born Arsenal striker Eduardo da Silva almost had to have his foot amputated after being tackled by Birmingham defender Martin Taylor. Eduardo fractured his left fibula and sustained an open dislocation of his ankle joint in the same leg, and is expected to be back on the field in nine months. If you got the stomach for it, watch the accident on video (links are being constantly taken down).

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.

I Just Sh*t My Pants: Brazilian Takeover At Oscar de la Renta

I have just died and gone to supermodel heaven: Raquel, Bruna, Flavia, Isabeli, Caroline Ribeiro, and Caroline Trentini, backstage at the Oscar de la Renta show in New York.

It is going to be pretty hard to top what my friend JD Ferguson accomplished here. I am freaking loving it.

For more backstage pictures of New York Fashion Week, head over to V magazine (and make sure to check out this sexy picture JD took of Parker Gregory and Garrett Neff).

If You Are Freezing In New York

This may cheer you up: model Ana Paula Araujo sharing the Brazilian love in Turks & Caicos.

My friend Matthew took it a few weeks ago (he even made the sign), and I love it. Thanks.

Doing Couture

Because of the Paris' couture shows, São Paulo Fashion Week was depleted of top models in the past few days. Vivi Orth, Bruna Tenorio, and Daiane Conterato did a few shows in Brazil before flying to Europe, but Flavia de Oliveira skipped the fall collections here.

Below the four of them at the Christian Dior spring 2008 couture show.

SPFW: All-Star Cast At Zoomp

Yesterday marked the comeback of Alexandre Herchcovitch as creative director for Zoomp, and to celebrate the occasion the label booked not only two of Brazil's biggest models with exclusivity, but also flew in Coco Rocha for the show.

Mr. Herchcovitch is here to move the label forward without forgetting is denim heritage, and sent out a collection loaded with the latest in denim technology and twisted with a good dose of fetish. Think lace, perforated black leather, baby doll dresses, and body hugging catsuits, and forget the pieces in rabbit.

Below are the stars of the show: Carol Trentini, Isabeli Fontana, and Coco Rocha.

Check out an interview with Carol at Chic, and one with Coco at RG Vogue (both in Portuguese only). Thanks Michael for the picture.

SPFW: Izabel Goulart, FH, Cori, And Alexandre Herchcovitch

The fall shows kicked off yesterday in São Paulo. Expect tons of coverage here in the next few days. Here is my take on the first day of shows.

Izabel Goulart was the main attraction of the Forum Tufi Duek show, inspired by Brazilian artist Paulo Von Poser, with obvious nods to Gucci. Inspiration was a little too literal, and the roses which permeate Mr. Von Poser's work completely took over the collection. The idea of having the show at the designer's home would have been great if it weren't for the 90 degree heat.

Fause Haten tried to be innovative in his presentation. He had sheer shower curtains dividing the runway in two, and presented each theme of his collection on one side. At the end, the curtains were pulled back, and surprise... The show started again, only switching sides. It was unnecessary, especially considering that the side I had not seen at the beginning should have been left that way. The only good pieces were the black belted sheer dresses, but I had already seen a better version of them before on the Dolce & Gabbana runway a year ago.

Neon designers Dudu Bertholini and Rita Comparato presented their first collection for Cori, after the departure of creative director Ale Herchcovitch. Viviane Orth opened the show, which was loaded with references to men's eveningwear, 70's disco, and Tina Turner. The designers' famous tropical prints made their way into the collection as well, along with their love for jumpsuits, high waists, and bustier tops.

Alexandre Herchcovitch proposed a geometric funeral for fall. Bruna Tenório opened a march of black looks, in a collection which emphasized and distorted the shoulders, and developed into colorful pastel plaids and stripes. I just wish some of the dresses in the end had been paired with some of his exquisitely tailored jackets, absent from the collection this season.

Everyone loved the new heels at Herchcovitch.

Model Daniela Borges is too young to work in Brazil, but you will be seeing her in New York very soon.

I heard Irina Lazareanu was not able to come to Brazil for the Zoomp show today because she did not have a page on her passport left to be stamped at customs.

Newcomer Henzo Hülle is booked exclusively for Ellus.

Make-up artist Ricardo dos Anjos launched his website this week, featuring trends, editorial work, and beauty tips on video.

A Semana: SPFW, Janet, MacBook Air, And The Submercer Reopening

Isabela Capeto is skipping the shows this season, but presented her new fall 2008 collection yesterday at her studio in São Paulo. My take? Just a little too Chanel.

São Paulo Fashion Week starts today, and it is all about exclusive bookings: Brazil's Next Top Model presenter Fernanda Motta is cast for the Cori show this afternoon, and Bruna Tenório is doing Alexandre Herchcovitch right after.

Ana Beatriz Barros and Marcele Bittar will be joining Raquel Zimmermann tomorrow at the Animale show.

Zoomp has the most exclusive and most international cast of the season, with Carol Trentini, Irina Lazareanu, Coco Rocha, and Isabeli Fontana.

Could this really be the cover of Janet's Discipline?

Check out Timbaland's new video for Scream.

Steve Jobs unveiled the the world's thinnest laptop, the new ultra-slim MacBook Air, yesterday at the Macworld Expo in San Francisco. The price tag? $1,799. Apple also launched web movie rentals.

Page Six has not announced it yet, but after being shut down for five years the Submercer is reopening tomorrow night. Due to fire regulations, the maximum number of people allowed in the bar will be 73, and that is including staff. SoHo resident celebs such as Kelly Ripa, Bon Jovi, Marc Jacobs, and Ellie Tahari, are going to be receiving a VIP card, and Andre Balazs' birthday is going to kick off the grand opening in a week. Just don't ask me how I got this information, but the Submercer used to be one of my favorite places in New York.

Fashion Rio: All About Camila Finn

One of the best surprises this season in Rio was Camila Finn, who had been absent from the runways in the city in the past due to a law that does not allow any models under 16 to work at Fashion Rio.

The 2004 Ford Supermodel Of The World winner booked shows such as Victor Dzenk, Colcci, Juliana Jabour, Coca-Cola Clothing, DTA, Redley, and others.

I hope that she will be in São Paulo this week.

Fashion Rio: Gisele Madness, Top Models, And The Golden Globes

The fall shows start today at Marina da Gloria in Rio. Unfortunately due to previous work commitments I will not be covering the shows live, but I will do my best to keep you posted on what is happening.

Gisele is the big attraction tonight at the Colcci show. She landed in Rio yesterday, and has already shot the new ad campaign for the label with photographer Gui Paganini.

Mario Testino, who has been in the country since NYE, is expected to attend the Colcci show tonight, and the after party at nightclub The Week.

La Bündchen is not the only supermodel in Rio this week. Michelle Alves, Bruna Tenório, Viviane Orth, Daiane Conterato, Carol Pantoliano, Guisela Rhein, and Drielle Valeretto are also confirmed for the shows. Now that she is 16, Camila Finn is allowed to work at Fashion Rio and has already been confirmed as well.

With a Prada booking under her belt, Claudia Seiler is destined to become the new face of the season.

Caroline Trentini is skipping the shows in Rio. Isabeli Fontana is doing the same, spending time in Florianópolis with her new beau Rico Mansur.

As if the new Versace campaign and the Colcci show were not enough, Gisele also teamed up again with Jamie Dornan in the new spring Aquascutum ads shot by Mario Sorrenti.

As you already know by now, the Golden Globes has been cancelled and replaced with a news conference because of the strike by writers. If there is not going to be a ceremony, they may as well cancel the whole thing. I am not interested in the winners. I want to see the dresses. Make sure to read what Cathy Horyn has to say about it.

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.

A Semana: Glamour, Angels, Tropa de Elite, Gay Bloggers, And Gay Bikers

Brazil got its first online luxury boutique with the launch of Glamour.com.br. The design of the site is cheap looking and lacks luster, but the selection of merchandise includes a R$6,980 Lanvin bag, as well as R$1,850 Dior sunglasses.

Isabeli Fontana is definitely on the rise again: she was the star of the Rosa Chá fashion show in São Paulo last night, celebrating the pre-opening of Buddha Bar at Daslu.

Brazilian model Andre Ziehe takes over the 29th slot at Models.com list of top male models. The only Brazilian ranking higher than him right now is Evandro Soldati, at number 3.

Missed the Victoria's Secret fashion show on TV last night? Watch it or download it here.

Globo networks is negotiating the rights to develop a TV series based on the controversial movie Tropa de Elite. Production will not start before the movie's international debut, set for the Berlin Film Festival.

Towleroad has news about Gus Van Sant's movie Milk, the upcoming biopic of the slain San Francisco Supervisor and gay rights icon Harvey Milk.

Supposedly gay soccer player Richarlyson called it quits with grilfriend Letícia Carlos because of her decision to pose for the January issue of Playboy. According to the girlfriend, the player did not want the future mother of his children to expose herself for everyone to see. Why bother when she is not even pregnant, and they had been dating for only three months?

Blogger Marcos Costa will soon debut his own gossip column about São Paulo's gay nightlife on the site Cena Carioca. He is not afraid to say what is on his mind, so do expect some controversy (and lots of angry queens).

São Paulo's newest club, Ultra Diesel, opened last Friday to the worst possible reviews from the Brazilian gay blogosphere. According to almost every gay site in the country, the club smelled of fresh paint, and there was water leaking from the ceiling. Critics were so harsh that owner Marcelo Piccine released a formal apology. In an era of top notch service started by gay mecca The Week, you just don't open a club in São Paulo before making sure everything is flawless.

Nothing planned for December 11? Get on your bicycle and join the Gay Bikers SP group for a night of biking around São Paulo. It is a good way to meet new people and also get in shape for summer. For more information about it, email Andre Hidalgo.

The New Brazilian Supermodels

Exclusively at Made In Brazil, here are comp cards from Brenda de Souza and Max Motta, winners of last night's Ford Supermodel Brazil.

I absolutely love them both.

The global finals a.k.a. Ford Supermodel Of The World will take place in New York on January 16.

Book Her ASAP: Claudia Seiler

After a very exclusive Prada booking this past season, the Brazilian newcomer scored the cover of the latest issue of Dazed & Confused, as well as the main edit photographed by Mariano Vivanco.

Talk about major potential (and she is only 16). More after the jump.

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.

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.

Here Come The Angels

Heidi Klum got sandwiched in between sexy Brazilian angels Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, and Izabel Goulart at the girls' arrival in Los Angeles yesterday for the 2007 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. It is very strange not to see Gisele in the pictures, but I will get over it.

Brazilian Isabeli Fontana has also been confirmed on the 2007 casting, but I am wondering why models like Flavia, Raquel, Emanuela, and Caroline Trentini have not. Videos of the castings and fittings after the jump.

UPDATE: just got a confirmation from Ford that Flavia is doing the show Thursday night.

The Girl Of Summer

Southern Guisela Rein was one of the most talked about girls this past season in Rio São Paulo. She is on the current issue of Daslu magazine, photographed by Michael Roberts.

If the boys next to her look familiar, it is because you have seen them here before: Saulo Melo and David Chaloub.

Alex And Barbara For Iódice

I am not big on the new spring campaign from Brazilian label Iódice, but the fact alone that Alex Schultz and Barbara Berger were booked for it, makes it worth posting.

You Better Work!

I am loving this I (heart) Made in Brazil moment the blog is going through. Today one of my favorite bombshells, model Emanuela de Paula, steps it up a notch with series of polas which would make even Meisel proud.

Click to enlarge. Thanks Michael and Emanuela for sharing the love.

Working It

Flavia de Oliveira and Marcelle Bittar, directly from Paris to Made In Brazil.

Love it, love it, love it.

From Paris With Love

This must be my lucky week: first Alessandra in New York, and now Flavia, Bruna and Marcelle directly from the shows in Paris last week.

Thanks to my lovely friend who made it happen. More coming tomorrow.

Daniela Borges' Big Break In Milan

Brazilian newcomer Daniela Borges was absent in New York this season, but broke into the Gucci spring show in Milan yesterday. Is it a sign of big things to come?

Fernanda Tavares For Banana Republic

Was she already pregnant when she shot this ad? Anyways, it is great to see Fernanda on the campaign for Banana Republic's new fragrance Malachite.

Thanks Vicky for sending the scan.

The Brazilian Newcomers At Ford

New York Fashion Week starts today, and Ford has two new Brazilians in town who I am certain you will be seeing on the runways at Bryant Park: Laila and Fernanda Reis.

One of my favorite Brazilian girls at Ford, Samira, is also in the city. She has an amazing walk, so I hope she has a great season.

The Best Crooked Noses In Fashion

Watch out New York: Miuccia's favorite Brazilians, Carol Pantoliano and Daiane Conterato, are going to be taking over the city as soon as Fashion Week starts.

It is strange how they almost look like sisters. Visit Models.com to view their comp cards in full size.

Look Who Has Finally Made It To The Victoria's Secret Catalog

As odd as this may sound, I am thrilled that Victoria's Secret is finally realizing that there is a lot of bra-selling potential in Brazilian bombshell Emanuela de Paula. The model has made it to the label's catalog, and I hope she will soon get her angel wings and a multi-million dollar deal.

More pictures from the Victoria's Secret catalog after the jump.

Caroline Ribeiro Hits The Dominican Republic

It is always great to see her: model Caroline Ribeiro strikes a few poses at the Dominican Republic for her second stint on the ad campaign for Brazilian label MOB, photographed by Jacques Dequeker.

Images via Usefashion.

Fabiana Semprebom For Benetton

I have not posted anything on Fabiana recently, but am happy to see her next to Tom Warren in the new Benetton ads photographed by David Sims.

The Lucky Girls Of Couture

Karl Lagerfeld has (surprise!) turned out another amazing couture collection for Chanel, just a month after putting together a very jet setter resort presentation in LA. His compilation of Brazilian models this season included Raquel Zimmermann, Viviane Orth, Flavia de Oliveira, Bruna Tenorio, and Carol Trentini.

I would kill to one day sit (or even stand) at one of the couture shows in Paris. For the time being, I have to be content with pictures. Make sure to also check out a behind-the-scenes look at the shows provided by the New York Times.

Fashion Rio: The Girl Of The Season

Carolina Pantoliano did not set a record when it came to bookings this season, but she was the one everyone was talking about. My friend JD Ferguson sent me these polas of her last week, which I really like because most photographers so far have not yet captured her smiling.

My other favorite girls in Rio this season were Guisela Rein (who looked stunning opening Blue Man), Barbara Berger (thanks to her sexy cropped hair), Sheila Baum, and Samira.

Keep in mind that the likes of Fabiana Semprebom and Bruna Tenorio will be in São Paulo starting today.

Fashion Rio: Vanessa Cruz

Last time I was in Rio in January, Vanessa Cruz was in New York representing the country at Ford's Supermodel Of The World. This season she is in Brazil, and booked for dozens of runway shows.

Picture of Vanessa taken yesterday backstage at Colcci.

Brazilianizing The Dior Resort Show

There are no words to describe the Dior resort show which took place in New York earlier this week. It was freaking perfect, from the make up to the hair to the feathered cocktail dress on Alek Wek. Every Brazilian girl was there aside from Raquel and Bruna. My favorites? Flavia de Oliveira, and Lais Navarro (which I guess now goes by Lais Oliveira).