São Paulo Fashion Week: Ronaldo Fraga collection inspired by Portinari paintings

04/03/2014 - 09h32

In line with his project to reinforce Brazilian identity through fashion, Ronaldo Fraga presented his collection about Brazilian painter Cândido Portinari (1903-1962).

On the catwalk, Portinari's oranges and light blues take shape while decorating necklines.

"In the nouveau riche Brazil, Portinari's work is still alive and his legacy is increasingly valuable in these times of amnesia and apathy," said Fraga.

The painter´s brushes are present , at times discreetly, at times more overtly, or woven in loose linen thread, silk, cotton and biodegradable cloth (a polyamide that disintegrates 50% after little more than a year in landfills and which has just been launched at his parade).

Blouses with printed Portinari tiles from the Pampulha church in Belo Horizonte are almost sophisticated souvenirs from a trip to Brazil or from one of the painter´s exhibitions.

Yet his dresses and skirts refer to Portinari´s work in a more subtle way.

References to circus motifs and typical Brazilian games also appeared on the soundtrack, on the geometric prints of some dresses and on accessories such as the spinning top necklace.

Colourful and futuristic glasses, heavy geometric earrings and coloured shoes complemented the designer´s collection this season.

The fashion designer was voted one of seven of the most innovative designers in the world by the London Design Museum.

At the "Designs of the Year" exhibition that runs until August 25 in the British capital, a piece from his "Dried meat" collection - one of São Paulo Fashion Week´s highlights in winter 2014 - will be exhibited alongside pieces by Miuccia Prada and Rick Owens which were exhibited in Milan and Paris respectively last year.