Heloisa Strobel and Nathan de Sousa are the winners of the first BtoBe

Yesterday (10/16) in Sao Paulo, Curitiba (PR) native, architect and fashion designer Heloisa Strobel Jorge was named the first winner of the BtoBe (Brazilians to Be) project, in the Fashion Entrepreneur category. As the owner of Reptilia, the Parana native did not hide her surprise when she was called to the stage after the announcement made by Evilasio Miranda, the manager of the Fashion and Design Center at Texbrasil (Brazilian Fashion Industry Internationalization Program, maintained by Abit and Apex-Brasil). In the Fashion Student category, first place went to Sao Paulo’s Nathan Henrique de Sousa, of Universidade Anhembi Morumbi (SP), for his Nosotros label.

BtoBe was started by Casa de Criadores (House of Creators) and Texbrasil in September 2013 as an annual contest, replacing the Ponto Zero competition and expanding its scope to professionals from across Brazil. This is the first edition of the project, which includes two categories – Fashion Students and Fashion Entrepreneurs. Winners gain training in management, sustainability and innovation through Fundação Vanzolini, the chance to participate in an international promotion and image event, and integration with the textile industry for promotion of Brazilian fashion. The fashion student winner may also take part in the next edition of Casa de Criadores, for the S/S 2015 season.

Work was judged by 17 panel members, including fashion designers Joao Pimenta, Weider Silveiro and Rober Dognani; entrepreneur Cris Resende (Cartel 011); and journalists Sergio Amaral (L’Officiel Brasil), Eduardo Viveiros (Chic), Jorge Wakabara (Lilian Pacce), Vivi Haydu (Revista Textil), Fernanda Schimidt (Uol) and Katiane Romero (Manequim). Also taking part were Udison Cunha, representing the Choix boutique; journalists Pedro Diniz and Rosangela Espinossi, who respectively write for Folha de S. Paulo and Portal Terra; the branding manager for Ellus, Eduardo Dugois; Professor Joao Amato, of Fundação Vanzolini; and international journalists Lee Carter (HintMag/USA) and Simona Martinez (Harper’s Bazaar/Argentina), who were in Brazil as Texbrasil’s guests.