Can international fashion businesses trade successfully in Brazil?

“Brazil is a myth,” the head of business development for international at Debenhams, John Scott, said to me. I was hosting a breakfast discussion on the branded fashion market for Drapers and the topic of international retailing came up. Obviously John believes Brazil exists; he’s just not convinced by the opportunities it can offer UK fashion retailers because of the high import duties the country imposes.

Neighbouring Sounds: excellent insight into Brazilian middle class

Have you seen Neighbouring Sounds, a new film by Kleber Mendonça Filho? You should. Firstly, it’s beautiful, a slide-show of captivating images of a neighbourhood in Recife, in the north east of Brazil. Secondly, if you’ve never been to Brazil but would like an insight into the country, particularly into the dynamics of its growing middle class, then you could do worse than watch this film.

Food and fashion at London gathering of Brazilian fashionistas

Katrina Judd, Thassia Naves, Sirlene Di Santolo

Sara Barr, Nura Khan, Patricia Bonaldi

Nura Khan, Roxy Ribeiro, Luiza Barcelos

The group of women taking over Russian restaurant Mari Vanna last Tuesday evening was unmistakably Brazilian. There was just something about those long glossy manes, impeccable grooming and excitable (rather loud) chatter that gave the game away. Oh, and they were constantly on their phones, too, taking photos of each other, sharing websites and blogs, admiring Instagram pages, texting friends. Brazilians can't get enough of social media.

Stand-up Paddling in Santos (and some "Boris" bikes...)

As I contemplate several more months before the arrival of summer here in the UK, I looked through my friend Clarissa's photos of Santos, where I was born, with longing and slight envy. Clarissa tells me that stand-up paddling is becoming increasingly popular in Santos. I remember admiring the skills of the paddlers when I was last there, in 2010, but they were few and far between. I thought I’d share the beautiful photos with you. 

Brazilian brand Lilly's Closet comes to UK

I was discussing shoes with my Drapers colleague Ruth Faulkner, who is the magazine’s footwear correspondent, and she drew my attention to a Brazilian footwear brand that New Look will start stocking for spring/summer 2013. It’s called Lilly’s Closet.

A bit of Brazil at Juergen Teller exhibition

I wasn't expecting to find anything related to Brazil at the brilliant Juergen Teller exhibition at the ICA last night, so was surprised to come across this photo of the photographer with Pelé.

But what I found more interesting was the story behind the photo, titled Pelé, the Matchmaker. 

Brazilian street art in a walking tour of East London

Cranio

Milo Tchais

Zezao

I received a text message from my friend Helen a couple of days ago containing a photo of “blue Amazonian smurfs with Tarzan-like pants made out of the Brazilian flag” – Helen’s apt choice of words to describe the first image above by São Paulo artist, Cranio. She’d been on a walking tour of east London to see different pieces of street art and came across several Brazilian artists. I loved the photo she sent me, so contacted the tour company to learn more. Richard Howard-Griffin from Street Art London supplied me with more, equally striking images of street art from Brazilian artists dotted around London.