Indigenous communities in Brazil held their first fashion show

An unprecedented sample, with catwalk shows and exhibitions of fashion and culture from various indigenous peoples of the Brazilian Amazon, were presented for the first time to the public in the city of Manaus, in the north of the country.

The “Story Tellers” project, from the Higher School of Arts and Tourism (ESAT) of the Amazonas State University (UEA), carried out the I Intercultural Show of Indigenous Fashion of Manaus, in which the indigenous people themselves designed the clothes and staged the parades.

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Fashion according to indigenous communities

The meeting was held in the Parque das Tribos, one of the largest urban settlements of indigenous tribes in the country, located in Manaus, capital of the state of Amazonas, and where families of 36 ethnic groups live.

The graphic art and its integration with fashion design were the axis of the exhibitionentitled “Indigenous Graphics: Traditions, ancestry and contemporaneity” and in which costumes, figurines, paintings and handicraft ornaments were exhibited.

Altogether they were 31 stylists and artisans from the ethnic groups themselves who dressed the 37 modelsalso indigenous people of both sexes and of all ages, including the young autistic Felipe Silveira, who wore Natalia Cándido’s tikuna designs and was in charge of opening the parades.

The participating ethnic groups were the Munduruku, Sateré-Mawé, Baré, Tikuna, Desana, Witoto, Mura, Tariano, Miranha, Karapãna, Kambeba, Kulina and Marubo.

Some of the big fashion events in Brazil have had the participation of indigenous designers and models, but the Manaus was the first carried out within its own community and totally organized by the peoples themselves.

In addition to the parades and the exhibition, the event featured musical performances by groups that arrived from other cities on boats down the Amazon River.

The exhibition was opened with the interpretation of the Brazilian anthem in the Nheengatu language and continued with the collective song of Maracanande (the great festival), music that symbolizes the union of all Tupi peoples.

Fashion, key in Brazil

For several years, Brazilian fashion has held a prominent place on the international circuit. Many of its designers, such as Charles Honey and Osklen, have managed to transcend borders with their designs. Miele participates in the New York Fashion Week and Osklen carries the banner of sustainability in its fashion. All this without mentioning the impact caused by the supermodel Gisele Bundchen, who has brought the name of his country to the catwalks of the world.

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