(Virtually) experiencing the Rio carnival

The City of Samba from Jarbas Agnelli on Vimeo.

If you couldn’t make it to the Rio carnival this year, then live vicariously via this video. It’s absolutely brilliant and the Brazilian and design communities have been raving about it on social media. Using tilt-photography, Jarbas Agnelli and Keith Loutit have given anyone who watches the film much more than a taster of what it’s like to be part of Rio’s carnival experience (the film depicts 2011's spectacle). You get a genuine sense of scale, atmosphere and colour. I’m often asked what sets Brazil apart from other countries, what its characteristics are. If I had to put it down to one trait, it would be Brazil’s inclusiveness. And nowhere is that better demonstrated than in the Rio carnival. It’s open to everyone, as this excellent video shows. Read more!

New Brazilian fashion designer on the block

As successful as Brazilian fashion designers may be in their home territory, internationally acclaimed designers are more of a rare breed. The fashion capitals of the world – London, Paris, Milan and New York – tend to dominate the international fashion stage, so I was intrigued to receive an invitation to Barbara Casasola’s presentation during Paris Fashion Week next month. I must admit, I hadn’t heard of Barbara, but was impressed by her CV.

Barbara was born in Brazil but studied at Central St Martins in London. After graduation, she worked for Roberto Cavalli for two years, before moving to Paris where she worked on assignments for Lanvin and See by Chloe. She launched her eponymous line for autumn/winter 2011. It’s still early days in her solo career, but Barbara’s collection is already stocked at Surface to Air. It will be interesting to see if she picks up more stockists in Paris, where the big-hitting designers show their collections.
In the meantime, take a look at her spring/summer 2012 collection. I like the pleated pieces and the nude colour palette. But you need deep pockets to buy from the collection. On Surface to Air’s Brazilian website, a dress is currently retailing for R$1,850 (just under £700).
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A bit of Brazil in a Somerset wedding

(All images: Friday Late: Hot Brazil at the V&A, London, 2012. (c) V&A Images)

"How can I help you?" asked Sylvia Morgado, as I sat down to take part in her Free Advice installation at the V&A's Hot Brazil exhibition. "I'm getting married in Somerset in the summer and I wondered if you had any ideas on how I could bring some Brazilian-ness to it?" I replied.
I know this hardly fits the description of the installation - participants were encouraged to talk to Sylvia as if she were a psychologist - but I'm ok on the psychology front and could really do with some more frivolous wedding chat.

True to her installation, Sylvia typed up a "prescription" for me, advising that I choose to play the song Eu Sei Que Vou Te Amar (I Know I'll Love You) by Vinicius de Maoraes as I walk down the aisle.
I later looked up the song on YouTube and I'm considering it.
The V&A served up a host of other great installations - predominantly interactive ones - music and dance. Roll on the Rio carnival later this month.
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