Scandal tarnishes carnival

By Sao Paulo (China Daily)
Updated: 2008-06-19 09:28

Brazilian model Gisele Bundchen poses for photographers during a photocall to present her new sandals collection in Berlin April 29, 2008.[Agencies]

America's most important fashion event, the Sao Paulo Fashion Week, opened Tuesday with much attention on shows due to feature supermodels Naomi Campbell, Giselle Bundchen (pictured) and Raquel Zimmerman.

But off the catwalk, another sort of spectacle was transfixing the invited celebrities and the wealthy.

A business fiasco involving an investment fund's attempt to buy some of the biggest labels in Brazilian fashion has severely dented egos and finances.

One of the hottest brands included in the acquisition spree, Zoomp, has even pulled out of Fashion Week, citing "restructuring" problems.

Brazil's top designer, Alexandre Herchovitch, told the O Estado de Sao Paulo newspaper that he was "tricked" by the fund, and said he too almost did not make the show.

The matter revolves around a move by a new company, Identidade Moda, to buy Zoomp, Herchcovitch and other brands Fause Haten, Clube Chocolate and Cumplice this year.

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