At Carnival in Rio de Janiero next week, fashion will officially be paid homage for the first time in event’s history. The Porto da Pedra School of Samba – has adopted the theme ”with which clothes… I’ll go? To the samba that you’ve invited me” – taken from the lyrics of the 1930’s song Com que Roupa, by the Brazilian samba writer Noel Rosa.

The school will present the history of Fashion in costumes inspired by the pre-historical to modern times. The group is reported to have several surprises in store such as a car spraying 50 liters of Chanel Nº5 at the audience during the hour and a half show.

With over 19 million inhabitants, Sao Paolo is a roaring metropolis with buzz and energy that’s on par with that of any world class city. It boasts stellar restaurants, top hotels, and formidable shopping and an audience to match. Attendees to Sao Paolo Fashion Week ran the gamut of cute tatooed boys to skinny jean-wearing-hipsters-types to uber rich fashionistas. They were on full display at the shows and surrounding events and we selected some of our favorites shots of the week to share.

Fashion Rio In Pictures here
Fashion Rio Reviews here
-Jason Campbell

The attendees at FashionRio are as important to creating the vibrant and dynamic scene as the clothes that appear on the runway. Take a look at some of my favorite images taken during FashionRio earlier this month.

If you’re a sample sale hound who happens to be in London this week, you’re in luck. From December 4-5, the Best of London sample sale will take place, and sartorial goodies from Erdem, Todd Lynn, Jonathan Saunders, and Richard Nicholl, will be significantly marked down. So now, you can indulge your appetite for chic and one-of-a-kind clothes from London’s bright young designers without feeling guilty you’re splurging in an economic downturn. Sale starts from noon to 10 pm each day at the Hospital in Covent Garden. Happy shopping!

 —Staff

If you’re in Miami Art Basel later this week, don’t just indulge in the wondrous works of art. Check out Belgian Natalia Brilli’s installation, whose outré jewelry and accessories are considered wearable sculpture by many in creative circles. 

Installation info:

December 2nd-10th
Alcehmist
438 Lincoln Road

Miami Beach, FL 33139

 —Staff

There were so many photo ops during Claro Rio Summer, here I snap some of my friends and scenesters who attended the events. The shots were captured primarily at Michael Roberts’ book signing for Saved (a photo essay on life at the beach in Rio) and at the samba rumbling fete at The Oteros and at Jo de Mer’s show at Oscar Neimeyer’s first house in Brazil. Enjoy!

-Jason Campbell

If you are in Paris this week, make a point to pop in Sonia Rykiel’s exhibit at Les Arts Décoratifs starting this Wednesday. You’ll discover that the flame haired French designer’s fashion influence goes beyond her glorious knitwear. Many of you may not know this, that Rykiel’s has helped shaped minimalism and deconstruction in fashion. (WWD)

—Staff

New York Times blog The Moment heads over to New Orleans’ Magazine Street, the southern city’s indie-style strip. Post-Katrina, the six-mile stretch of small boutiques, cafes and galleries is vibrant as ever, says the Moment, and houses a scarce amount of chain stores. They pop in to some of the street’s independent retail diggs, including Hazelnut, the antebellum-inspired home furnishings store owned by New Orleans native Bryan Batt of the TV series "Mad Men." Check out the Magazine Street scene at nytimes.com.

My last post griped about the lack of activities under the sun during Islands of the World Fashion Week in the Bahamas, but last Friday’s day trip to the gorgeous Blue Lagoon Island where I swam with dolphins more than made up for it. I’ve jumped in the water with these mammals on my last trip to the Caribbean, but the activity never fails to elicit a giddy, child like reaction out of me. Maybe its because I find dolphins to be the cutest animals, but beyond that, they are playful and intelligent sea creatures that can perform entertaining stunts in the water.

Meanwhile, on my last night, international journalists, organizers, sponsors, designers, and models who attended the fashion week were treated to a raucous party at Peter Nygard’s Mayan and Robinson Crusoe inspired estate in Lyford Cay, the Beverly Hills of the Bahamas. For those of you who do not know Nygard, he’s a Canadian designer not only known for his charitable activities in the Bahamas, but also for his legendary parties which has earned him the designation: the Hugh Hefner of the Caribbean. The event had all the ingredients of a tropical bacchanalia—a live band, naked women who guarded the tables lined with Jello shots, exotic food, an endless supply of liquor, and a dance party in Nygard’s in-house club. While the soiree certainly lived-up to Nygard’s fun-loving reputation, his estate (dubbed the Nygard Estate) was a sight to behold for its ridiculous opulence. I’ve been to some impressive homes, but this has to be the quirkiest and architecturally marvelous abode I have ever been to. One reveler even sarcastically said, I think we can "Google Earth this!" Just check out the images. 

—Robert Cordero

Yesterday was my first day in the Bahamas to attend the Islands of the World Fashion Week, and our hosts were quick to show us around the country’s capital, Nassau. Although we didn’t get to enjoy the legendary Bahamian sun (we arrived very late in the afternoon), we took in the best sights of the quaint city when the sun goes down. From our hotel, the British Hotel Colonial Hilton, we walked up the hill, and after a few yards, we stumbled upon the palatial Governor’s Palace, which was painted in a brave shade of pink. Then further up, we stopped in the Graycliff Manor, a majestic estate (Nassau’s first inn which triples as a restaurant, cigar factory and hotel) with a rustic garden that could easily have been a set from Great Expectations if the movie were set in the Tropics. Lastly, we had  supper at Luciano’s where we took in a seaside view of the Atlantis across the bay in Paradise Island. If you’re in town, make sure you take in these sights.

—Robert Cordero