Gisele Bundchen walks the runway in 2006 Photo : Mark Mainz/AFP

SAO PAULO, June 16, 2008 (AFP) - Supermodels Naomi Campbell and Gisele Bundchen are scheduled to headline Latin America's foremost fashion event, Sao Paulo Fashion Week, which sashays onto the runway this week.

The British and Brazilian beauties are to put celebrity punch into the June 17-23 event, which has been growing in importance and size every year since it began in 1996.

They have been contracted to appear next weekend, on different days and in different shows, Brazilian media said.

But while Bundchen is sure to do her turn in front of the flashbulbs next Sunday, Campbell's appearance next Saturday is less certain.

The 38-year-old is due to appear in court on Friday on charges relating to her alleged assault April 3 on a police officer at London's Heathrow airport, when she reportedly flew into a rage after learning one of her bags was missing from her Los Angeles-bound British Airways flight.

She is charged with five offences -- three counts of assaulting a constable, one of disorderly conduct likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress and one of using threatening or abusive words or behavior to cabin crew.

Her London lawyer, Simon Nicholls, has said Campbell "hopes this matter is dealt with expeditiously."

The supermodel, who is a regular visitor to Brazil, has been in trouble with the law before over her tantrums.

Last year, she was ordered to spend a week mopping floors at a New York City warehouse for hitting her maid with a mobile phone.

If Cambell makes her flight to Sao Paulo without problem, she will be showing summer outfits by the Brazilian brand Rosa Cha.

Bundchen, 27, will be on the catwalk for another national marque, Colcci. The model, much in demand worldwide, only rarely turns up for the Sao Paulo Fashion Week. The last time was six years ago.

In all, 50 brands will be displaying their latest clothes during the event.

The themes this year is Japanese immigration, coinciding with celebrations underway in Brazil marking the centenary of Japanese making their way to the country to start new lives.

Brazil now has the biggest community of Japanese descendants in the world outside of Japan itself, estimated at 1.5 million people.

Reinforcing that theme -- and adding to the climbing profile of the Sao Paulo show -- Kenzo designer Kenzo Takada will be attending.