I was expecting to Samba my Sunday away in sunny South London last night, at the Carnaval del Pueblo in Burgess Park. It’s the biggest Latino festival in Europe – or it used to be. This year it looked decidedly less Rio and more… Romford. That was mostly the rain’s fault, as the performers were as impressive as ever. And although there is only so far your imagination can take you when your Mojito’s got more rainwater in it than Manchester, we still managed to have a laugh with our new salsa-in-the-mud movements, as you do when you’re used to English summers.

However, my South American adventure had only just began. If, like a very mistaken me, you think more ‘tooth-floss and trouser-dropping’ than ‘sophisticated and truly jaw-dropping’ when you think of Brazilian fashion, get ready to think again. And again, and again.

The Brazilian designers exhibiting at the trade-buyers fashion event, Pure, in London this week, are all hugely well known and highly regarded at home and in the United States. Shockingly, hardly any are yet stocked in the UK. For a city like London, which regards itself (and usually I would argue rightly so) at the couture-cutting edge of all things quirky and eccentric, this is unforgivable. There were hundreds of exhibitors at Pure – but the Brazilians stood out for all the right reasons.

Brazil is self-sufficient in cotton and is one of the most important textile producers in the world. Each region has its own unique way of producing and treating fabrics. This makes for an absolute delight when it comes to fashion design. There was something free about all the collections, something bold and brave that was simultaneously recognisable and yet completely original. The concurrency of modern prints and themes inspired by the earth and nature seemed to be apparent in each one of the designer’s collections. This connection to couture made by a connection to the world and environment around them is something which is enabling these Brazilian labels to light the way ethically, as well as stylistically.

Each of the charming designers I spoke with was passionate about the fact that their designs are all created in their hometown, using the exceptional skills of the local people and providing an invaluable source of employment, skill renewal and job satisfaction.

Marcia Ganem went one step further into the field of ‘fashion for life’. She spent ten years developing a completely original material from recycled polyamide fibres. Once it was perfected (and believe me, you would never, ever be able to tell that your exquisite dress was once driving a mini-bus full of people to a Brazilian beach-front) she began to perfect her designs. Sculpturally seductive, they are reminiscent in their structure to Issey Miyake’s architectural elegance. With precious stones lovingly embroidered on Oscar-worthy dresses and locally produced lace contrasting with the metallic-look of the tyre-thread, it’s no wonder Alicia Keys is counted amongst her biggest fans.

Images courtesy of www.lerage.com

Marcia Ganem is available in London from Leblon, Portobello Green, 281 Portobello Road, London, W10 5TZ (Call 07958 944 227).

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