With Samira strutting down the runway followed by a parade of black models, the design team behind Cavalera proved with the first 5 looks alone that streetwear can be creative, fun, and inspiring. I love the fact that season after season the brand embraces Brazilian culture (in this case samba) and turns it into a product with character which could have been shown in any other runway around the globe. Very few Brazilian designers look at national references the way Cavalera does, and even fewer would dare to have such a variety of ethnicities on their casting. Add to that some live samba in the end, and you have a perfect show.

The men's collection was at its best in the sweatshirts covered in black crochet and beads, the vintage t-shirts printed with sambistas Hermeto Pascoal Jair Rodrigues, and the jeans with a matelasse effect. The sneakers were pure joy. Below are my four picks from the show:

There are exclusive backstage pictures after the jump.

With an emphasis on a more masculine and slightly older clientele, designer Mario Queiroz drove editors insane yesterday with a selection of the hottest Brazilian boys. I was fortunate enough to take a backstage tour before the show.

Top models Leo Peixoto, Leandro D'Lucca, Leo Capote, and Gabriel Tonello.

Dan Wainer and Ivan Fahra.

Erasmo Viana and Thiago Volpato.

Isabeli Fontana's brother, Herick, and Marcelo Boldrini.

Click here for a video of the show with the entire male cast. There are more exclusive pictures of the boys after the jump.

In a Mad Max turned samurai sort of way, John Galliano unleashed his scariest men's presentation to date (actually packed with several commercial pieces disguised in all the make up and accessories).

Junya Watanabe went on a motorcross ride for fall 2007, coming up with the most variations on a biker jacket ever (and they were all equally amazing).

There was a bit of a motorcross feeling on Raf Simons runway as well, as well as colorblocked coats such as the ones seen in Milan at Prada. It was one of his best shows to date in my opinion.

Prada's ombre effect landed on the Louis Vuitton runway in Paris, along with a very sporty feel reminiscent of a Marni collection. Line up for the sneakers now.

Lanvin showed how to really rock sneakers with a suit (especially if they come in satin), and that men's collections can also find inspiration in Balenciaga.

Stefano Pilati once again proved himself to be the chicest man alive (and one that knows there is nothing sexier than a good boat neckline). Not a single look on his presentation for YSL had a flaw.

Luckily French designers have not yet shown a single pair of silver pants, which were previously seen all over Milan, and made their way to the runways of São Paulo as well.

Designer Mario Queiroz raised the temperature yesterday with a casting of male super models which included Ivan Fahra, Thiago Volpato, Paulo Ferreira, Marcelo Boldrini, and Leo Capote. The collection of rugged looks inspired by the relationship between men and animals had its strongest points in the worn out leather jackets, printed shirts, and the knit poncho worn by Leo Peixoto.

Another Brazilian top model, João Vellutini, is in the city today shooting the Hering campaign with Alessandra Ambrósio.

I did not get the point of the grand finale of Samuel Cirnansck's presentation with Bruna and Solange being lifted as two boxes from a storage facility, but it did look cool (you can watch the entire show here). The black and white printed dress on Emanuela de Paula was the best look from the collection.

One of my favorite new girls from Ford, Samira, opened the Cavalera show last night, followed by an army of black models and a little samba on the soundtrack. It was about time it happened.

My favorite new boy from Ford, Gabriel Grandi, shot the fall campaign for Osklen this week. He had three looks on the runway for the brand last Wednesday.

Quick note to the designers: I do not need or want to see another ankle boot on any collection (especially if paired with beautiful gowns).

There are not many menswear collections presented at São Paulo Fashion Week, but yesterday was all about the boys, with three collections and three very different castings on parade. Caio Gobbi started the male model extravaganza.

New face Fabricio Ebone, and model Eduardo Ramiro, before and after the dress rehearsal.

On the backstage videos above, model Leandro Ghidini during make up, and designer Caio Gobbi putting the final touches on Felipe Roque and Pedro Polo before the runway show.

More pictures of the boys after the jump (trust me, you do not want to miss them).

São Paulo's The Week celebrated the opening of its new VIP room this past Saturday. However, as great (and very convenient) as the VIP room is, the real action still lies on the packed dancefloor next to the go-go boys. Watch the boys dance on the videos below:

As if the videos above were not enough, click here for a picture gallery of the go-go boys from this Saturday.

Many thanks to Flavio for accommodating me at the very last minute.