Brazilian fashion event cradle of supermodels

As the setting sun casts an orange glow over the Sao Paulo slum of Paraisopolis, a dozen aspiring models sporting towering heels strut up and down an improvised catwalk.

"Posture, attitude! Walk straight, stop. Again, walk!" shouts their coach, who is teaching the teenagers the tricks of the trade as part of a project to spread the glitter of the Brazilian mega-city's famous fashion week, which wraps up Friday, to some of its poorest residents.

They are far from the cameras, footlights and glamor of the main event, the largest fashion show in Latin America, which has launched careers like that of supermodel Gisele Bundchen, who strutted on Wednesday in her final runway show.