Brazilian designer Carlos Miele is known for his dramatic, high energy shows, and his Fall/Winter 2012 collections was no exception. Inspired by the culture of Southern Brazil and the traditional gaucho sashes and ponchos, Carlos uses the gold and natural tones of the Southern Brazilian landscape to create a collection that radiates an effortless elegance and makes me want to book a trip to Brazil.
The tone of the show was set by Brazilian brothers Anthony and Sean Souza who spun Latin beats to transport us all to Southern Brazil and create a party atmosphere as the models grooved down the catwalk looking like very chic Brazilian cowgirls.
Carlos Miele reinterpreted the traditional Brazilian culture for a cosmopolitan audience with geometric prints, beaded boleros, chic evening gowns and wool ponchos. True to his Brazilian roots, the hats and sashes worn throughout the collection are those of authentic gauchas (the cowgirls of Rio de Grande do Sul). The collection was a sea of golds and tans and natural colors but the dramatic designs and more-is-more embellishment style of Carlos Miele kept them from being anything but dull.
The evening gowns were a particular standout of the collection. All of the gowns observed the same sleek silhouette that gave the models a feminine elegant air. Some gowns featured the layering of several types of fabric that gave them a fantastic volume while still magically preserving the sleek silhouette of the rest of the collection.
The overall effect of Carlos Miele’s latest collection is a high fashion interpretation of traditional Brazilian culture that makes me want to jump on a horse or dash off to a very chic party, and in these clothes, I’d look amazing doing either.
Vera Sweeney is a mom of two beautiful children and the founder of 
