Amazon natural fibers produced by Castanhal reach the Oscar red carpet
Photo: Castanhal Press Release
Brazilian fashion had a standout moment on the Oscar red carpet, held on March 15 in Los Angeles. Actress Alice Carvalho, part of the cast of the film The Secret Agent, nominated for four statuettes, attended the ceremony wearing a dress created by the Amazon-based brand Normando, made from natural malva and jute fibers produced by Companhia Têxtil de Castanhal. The company is part of Texbrasil (the Brazilian Textile and Fashion Industry Internationalization Program), a partnership between Abit (Brazilian Textile and Apparel Industry Association) and ApexBrasil (Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency). The piece brought to one of the most prestigious events in global cinema not only the contemporary aesthetic of Brazilian fashion, but also a story of sustainability and the valorization of the bioeconomy.
With a structure inspired by a blazer—marked shoulders and pockets, signature elements of Normando’s aesthetic—the dress features tailored construction and hand-basted finishing throughout. The lower part opens into a fluid silhouette, close to a mermaid shape. To ensure comfort and wearability, the designers applied a cotton lining through thermal bonding, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to pieces that combine design and functionality. “We work with Castanhal fibers in our daily practice. We have already presented pieces made with them at São Paulo Fashion Week and at the Vogue Ball. The dress blends malva and jute and was designed to be comfortable, with attention to ergonomics and feel on the skin,” explains Emídio Contente, creative director of Normando.
Native to the Amazon, malva is a natural fiber—lightweight and resistant—like jute, which was brought to the region by Japanese immigrants in the 1930s. Commonly used in sacks (such as those bearing the Cafés do Brasil brand) and sustainable packaging, both now take center stage in fashion created by Normando. “In a world where almost every design has already been created, raw materials are the most innovative element. And there is nothing more technological than the forest, with the technology of nature, of the seed, and of human hands,” says Marco Normando, the brand’s creative director. According to him, bringing a dress made with Amazonian fibers to the Oscar red carpet is a way to reshape the international perception of the region. “We want to show a contemporary Amazon—one of technology, culture, and diversity, far from stereotypes.”
“Being at the origin of a dress at the Oscars elevates not only Brazilian fibers, but their entire production chain to another level. It is an important moment of recognition for small malva producers in the Amazon,” says Flávio Smith, executive director of Castanhal.
The company’s presence in this creation reinforces the importance of the sustainable production chain of Amazonian fibers. For 60 years, the company has transformed jute and malva grown in floodplain areas into yarns, meshes, and fabrics used by various industrial sectors. Cultivation follows the natural cycle of Amazonian rains and rivers, without artificial irrigation, chemical fertilization, or deforestation. This entire fiber chain removes more carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere than it emits, characterizing a carbon-negative operation.
The production model also has a strong social impact. The company maintains partnerships with riverside communities, offering technical assistance, supplying seeds, and guaranteeing the purchase of production at pre-agreed prices, generating more stable income for hundreds of families. The entire chain is traceable—from planting to fiber processing—and audited by independent certification bodies, ensuring environmental management criteria and ethical working conditions.
Beyond environmental and social aspects, Amazonian fibers offer characteristics valued by contemporary fashion: they are biodegradable, durable, and have a versatile natural aesthetic. For Emídio Contente, this connection between tradition and innovation is also personal. “Malva has always been part of everyday life in the countryside of Pará. Children play with it, making doll hair. My grandmother used to make jute bags to sell. Working with these fibers is also a way of honoring that memory.”
By dressing Alice Carvalho at the Oscars, Normando and Castanhal transform the red carpet into a showcase for Brazilian fashion and the creative potential of the Amazon, where design and sustainability go hand in hand. “Taking this dress to the Oscars is about placing Brazil—alongside our cinema—where it belongs, with the Amazon in the spotlight,” celebrate the designers.
About Castanhal
Companhia Têxtil de Castanhal is the largest manufacturer of malva and jute products in the Americas. Founded 60 years ago and headquartered in the city of Castanhal, in Pará, the company transforms Amazonian natural fibers into yarns, meshes, packaging, and solutions for agribusiness and various sectors of the textile, automotive, and construction industries. As a pioneer in the use of malva and jute, Castanhal drives income generation for hundreds of riverside families in Amazonas and Pará, strengthening the bioeconomy and contributing to the regeneration of the biome.