Sao Paulo launches summer fashion week

SAO PAULO - Sao Paulo Fashion Week (SPFW), Latin America's premier style event, started Monday with 25 designers showcasing their summer collections.

Brazil fashion brands Animale, Cori, Tufi Duek and Cavalera kicked off the show's 35th edition, which runs through Friday in the cavernous Biennal pavilion of the city's Ibirapuera Park.

US top model Karlie Kloss, a Victoria's Secret "Angel", was on hand to strut Animale designs while her compatriot Lindsey Wilson graced the catwalk for Sao Paulo-based fashion label Ellus.

Among other leading fashion houses represented are Adriana Degreas, Alexandre Herchcovitch, Osklen, Colcci, Joao Pimenta and Fause Haten.

Organizers have altered the show's dates to match the international calendar, with the summer edition in March-April instead of June and the winter collection set for October-November instead of January.

SPFW creative director Paulo Borges said the new calendar, which prevented some designers, such as Gloria Coelho, from attending for lack of time, aimed to extend the interval between the launch and delivery to retailers.

"Any change requires additional efforts," he said.

The Biennal pavilion was decorated for the occasion by leading Brazilian designers Fernando and Humberto Campana, two brothers who have showcased their creations in Paris, New York, Rome and London.

Their idea was to reflect the wealth of Sao Paulo, a bustling metropolitan area of 20 million people which is the economic and industrial capital of the world's sixth largest economy.

Organizers said they expect 100,000 visitors, including fashion professionals, business people, students and members of the public.

According to TexBrasil, the Brazilian Fashion Industry Export Program, Brazil is the fifth-largest textile and fourth-biggest apparel producer in the world.