SXSW: Texbrasil kicks off a new format for internationalizing Brazilian fashion

From March 11th to 15th, nine Brazilian brands and designers were introduced to the international market at one of the largest creative economy events in the world: the South by Southwest (SXSW), held in Austin (USA). The Collabr, a new project from Texbrasil – the Brazilian Fashion Industry Internationalization Program, developed by Abit and Apex-Brasil (Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency) – took to SXSW the creativity of Adriana Degreas, Farm, Helen Rödel, Isolda, Neon, Pat Bo, Pedro Lourenço, Ronaldo Fraga and Trendt.

Representing this group of brands and designers, Collabr is focused on making licensing contracts, co-branding and capsule collections viable for companies such as Nike, Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, MAC, Nars and Vans, through meetings pre-scheduled by the event. Brands were selected for this pilot in partnership with Abest (Brazilian Association of Fashion Designers), in an effort to guarantee designers with a strong identity and that already have co-branding project portfolios. The idea is to grow this group over the coming years.

“We launched Collabr with the belief that the creative potential of Brazilian fashion is so great that it can go beyond clothing. In Brazil, many designers already develop projects for other industries, from furniture to food. We want to expand this business model internationally and we saw SXSW, which is where many of today’s innovations are launched, as being an excellent entryway”, explains Evilasio Miranda, the Fashion & Design manager at Texbrasil.

Collabr was one of the initiatives that are part of #brasilatSXSW, a set of efforts to promote Brazil’s creative companies at South by Southwest. “This shows how the work of Apex-Brasil with one sector can benefit others. Collabr is a fashion initiative that is using a creative economy platform with great potential to grow Brazilian business and gain visibility in the North American market, fostering partnerships with local companies”, concludes Isabel Fontoura, responsible for the project at the Agency.

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