This fashionista first fell in love with all things Brazilian upon discovering a little restaurant-club in the 10tharrondissement of Paris, Favela Chic. Memories made with best friends to the rhythm of "Magalenha" amplified the already strong impact the Brazilian mystique exerts on us all. The breezy natural beauty of the Brazilian fashion aesthetic captures our style senses.
Thankfully seniorRio de Janeiro native Tatiana Spragins let us in on the secret.
FbyF: So, Tati, tell us about the fashion aesthetic in Brazil.
TS: Well, first of all Brazil is a large country with many different regions, and therefore, different styles. Sao Paolo, for example, is like New York, many more suits and businesswear. I'll speak to the aesthetic of Rio where I grew up. Carioca (a person from Rio) fashion reflects the hot temperature of Rio, with bright, vibrant colors and organic fabrics like linen and cotton, and sandals. Patterns are extremely popular. Certain stores market their own for strong brand recognition. Patterns take the place of logos in Carioca fashion, acting as a status symbol. The key is to look natural, with not too much makeup, and flowing hair. A pair of well cut jeans with a flowing, loose, bright top. It's very basic. Carioca fashion is as much about how you wear it as what you wear. Taking care of yourself is important.
FbyF: What do you think of the Brazilian fashion mystique?
TS: Actually I think it's quite funny, this obsession with Brazilian beauty. I think it's natural — that a beauty that is different has a wow factor. It does deserve attention, but to us it's not that exotic. I've always been very aware of the reality of the stereotype.
The thing about fashion in Brazil, too, is that the middle class is a new phenomenon, and to retain a sense of status, people don't mix high and low fashion, like you see in the States. Services in Brazil are cheap, products are expensive, so the cost of clothes is also much higher, naturally.
FbyF: Growing up and then coming to Notre Dame, how was your fashion aesthetic formed and then changed?
TS: Well, at about 16 or 17 I really fell into the Carioca style with my friends. Going to the beach so much, you wear something that can translate easily from there to a restaurant to the mall. I don't think Brazilian fashion is so different from fashion at ND in that it's casual, and you don't really try to stick out or be flashy. But I distinctly remember getting a Lewis Hall t-shirt as a freshman, and cutting it up immediately, making the neckline lower, cropping it at the waist, to make it fit better, not knowing we were going to wear these shirts for the whole week. I looked different.
Also, I find there's less of an impetus here to dress for class. There's a fashion divide — either you try too hard or not at all. In Brazil, everyone makes an effort.
I've adapted to ND naturally by buying most of my winter clothes in the States, UGGs and fleece for instance. There are some conditions, like the weather, whose affect [on your style] you can't control. But when summer comes, out come my Carioca dresses. My Brazilian style has become stronger. I miss what I can't find here in the States. And of course, when I'm in New York, where they really express personal style, I take my true [Brazilian] fashion aesthetic out of the closet.
And on that note, darlings, let the Carioca style summit begin!
