Model scouts in Brazil are looking for the next Gisele Bündchen. They have figured out that the genes of girls who look like a model in the way she does — with light skin, light hair, and tall, naturally thin figures — come from German and Italian ancestry and may also have a dash of Slavic blood. While more than half of Brazil's population isn't white, more than half of Brazil's models are scouted in a southern rural region comprising about one-twentieth of the nation's population. Gisele and Alessandra Ambrosio, who were discovered at 13 and 12 respectively, come from these parts.
The region is proud of its reputation for hotness. But Brazil as a whole — more than half of which is black — is also proud of its hotness. Frustrations have emerged over the world not recognizing all of Brazil's skin tones as beautiful. While Brazilians embrace beauties with darker skin, the fashion industry in the rest of the world gravitates toward paler Brazilian models.
“I was always perplexed that Brazil was never able to export a Naomi Campbell, and it is definitely not because of a lack of pretty women,” said Erika Palomino, a fashion consultant in São Paulo. “It is embarrassing.”
Scouts have begun looking in darker-skinned regions, but they have a long way to go. Prosecutors recently forced São Paulo Fashion Week to make sure that at least 10 percent of its models were of African or indigenous decent. In 2008, 28 of the 1,128 models in the event weren't white.
-NYMAG
2. That's not to say you shouldn't invest in your clothes. But men with real style know when to splurge—and where to save.
3. Start at the best of the low-cost, high-style stores.7. Buy vintage without losing your shirt.
1. No matter how cool and cheap that leather jacket might be, if it's too big, don't buy it.
2. Certain brands increase in value as they age: Classic-era Levi's, Vuarnet, old-school Nike, supply-store-era Abercrombie & Fitch, and The North Face.
3. Unless you play in Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (and like wearing your trousers up by your belly button), think twice about those cool sharkskin suits from the '50s and '60s.
4. If it looks too stained to wear off the rack, don't buy it. Rather than making that splotch of Ragú sauce from 1978 disappear, dry cleaning usually destroys the garment at the point of the stain.
5. Leather boots, flannels, and dress shirts with monogrammed initials (that aren't yours) are all excellent candidates for vintage. Western-style shirts, however, should be left behind. They're always cut long, to be tucked in. But these days, the only guys who tuck in western shirts are professional bull riders.
8. Shopping online can be a time- suck. Know where the deals are.
Start by signing up for GiltMan.com!
9.World of Bargains: Your Local Army-Navy Store
10. There's a whole year of savings out there. Learn when to take advantage.
The difference between paying full price and half-off all depends on when you walk into a store. You could be talking about a nationwide chain like Saks or a cool-kid emporium like Ron Herman in L.A. Hit sales right when they start and you can snag the best gear before it's off the shelves
He has some of the most amazing, futuristic dresses out there and recently they have been showing up on celebs left and right. Brian Lictenberg based out of LA is super hot... I would rock almost everything he designs...well except the Gizmo Skirt!
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