Ever since Gisele Bundchen attained supermodel status, Brazil has been going catwalk crazy. Now the country is hoping that the fashion world will recognize it as not only an exporter of top models but also as a center for the creation of designer clothing.
To convince the world that Brazilian style is about more than suntans and skimpy swimwear, Sao Paolo in July staged a runway extravaganza that has received lavish praise from industry insiders, who usually sneer at anything held outside the fashion capitals of Paris, Milan and New York.
Brazilian designers also have their eyes on the world's most voracious consumer nation, Japan. The push for a bigger share of the market here is being spearheaded by ABEST, the Association of Brazilian Designers, which is funded by the Brazilian government, and which last month put on a group show as part of Rooms, Japan's largest apparel industry trade show.