Fashion Week opens in Sao Paulo

Sao Paulo kicked off the 40th edition of its Fashion Week Sunday featuring the winter 2016 collection of Brazilian designer Alexandre Herchcovitch.

Latin America's biggest fashion extravaganza got under way in the rather unusual setting of the Sao Paulo's municipal building, in the heart of the city.

Long-sleeved frocks in silk and tulle were among the highlights of Herchcovitch's collection, which seemed playfully to allude to the themes of sex and power.


A model presents a creation by Alexandre Herchcovitch during the 2016 Winter collection of the Sao Paulo Fashion Week in Sao Paulo Brazil on October 18 2015. AFP PHOTO / Nelson ALMEIDA

The collection featured attire almost entirely in shades of black, white, or black-and-white plaid, some with peek-a-boo cutouts that displayed a flash of bellybutton or exposed breast.

Statuesque models strutted in knee-high patent leather stiletto boots accessorizing flowing, calf-length skirts.


A model presents a creation by Alexandre Herchcovitch during the 2016 Winter collection of the Sao Paulo Fashion Week in Sao Paulo Brazil on October 18 2015. AFP PHOTO / Nelson ALMEIDA

Sao Paolo Fashion Week (SPFW) has been held twice each year, in spring and fall, for the past 20 years.

Running through October 23, SPFW features collections from more than 30 designers, including local favorites such as Ronaldo Fraga, Reinaldo Lourenco, Fernanda Yamamoto, Joao Pimenta and Vitorino Campos.