Sao Paulo fashion show a riot of tropical color

SAO PAULO - Tropical prints, vibrant colors and sheer fabrics: Sao Paulo fashion week is making a splash aiming to sound a note of optimism and hope amid the global economic gloom.

Bright shades of pink, green, turquoise and gold were echoed not just in the designs on display, but also in chunky bracelets, beaded necklaces, and dangling earrings featuring the birds of the Amazon in the 2013 summer collections of about 30 local designers.

"In these times of global crisis, showing off colorful collections suggests that at some point we will climb out of 'the bottom of the well.' It is a message of optimism," Camila Toledo, Brazil director of consulting firm www.stylesight.com, told AFP.

With sharp lines and seamless pieces, designer Tufi Duek delighted in a bold palette of yellows, fuchsias and coral for his dresses and blouses, contrasted with black or white pants.

Alexandre Herchcovitch showed off a collection inspired by the 1980s pop star Boy George sending his models down the runway with huge teased hair dressed in strong, geometric designs in cotton and silk.

For his part, Ronaldo Fraga, returning to Sao Paulo Fashion Week after a year's absence, drew his inspiration from the Brazilian poet Mario de Andrade and his own travels to the luscious north of Brazil.

A highlight of his collection were his "bio-jewels" made by local craftsmen in the north, with a strong emphasis on fair trade and sustainability.

With her beach wear and lingerie, Adriana Degreas predicted it's going to be a hot, hot summer.

Her muslin tunics, feminine, gold lame swimsuits and floaty, sheer, lightwear designs stole the show, drawing on the influence of Africa on Brazil.

There was huge applause too for Movimento's collection of summer wear "inspired by the poetry and the colors of the tropics."

Swimsuits were decorated with huge colorful parrots, bright tropical flowers, or for a change of scene, plain white pieces topped with Egyptian-inspired, or military looking heavy chain necklaces.

"Brazil is improving, the country is growing, we think it will be a great summer," said designer Tininha da Fonte.

Brazil is the largest economy in Latin America, and the sixth biggest in the world, and is booming unlike the gloom which has descended on the troubled eurozone.

Agua de Coco turned to Turkey, and sent bronzed models sashaying down the runway in bikinis drawn in the golden, fiery hues of the sunset over the beach.

Forum's collection drew the biggest crowds late Wednesday however, with its strong asymmetric designs in bold oranges and green, such as a plastic dress stamped with huge green limes.