"This was also a coming of age for Sao Paulo, which celebrates its 450th birthday this year," said Emanuela de Carvalho, a fashion consultant for buyers. "From what I've seen, Brazilian designers have finally sloughed off their European models. They're more free, more Brazilian." That means a fashion show that can be fun. This year's event brought supermodels Gisele Bundchen - in simple prints and lace, mock leather and an afro wig - and Naomi Campbell, in a signature bikini for the Rosa Cha line. Renato Loureiro decided to show off his line of riding gear by placing two of his models atop white horses. Other shows featured live dogs and snakes. There was plenty to do for the 100 janitors and 350 security guards. Would-be models also found work. Local celebrities paid them the equivalent of $US10  per show to act as front-row seat-warmers. As soon as the show began, the teenage models in blue T-shirts would pop out of their seats, giving way to TV stars, politicians, socialites and business tycoons. At one show, art imitated life when a group of TV actors shot a fashion show scene for a Brazilian soap opera entitled Celebrity. AP

Sizzling in Brazil

Fashions on show at Sao Paulo's Fashion Week