Brazil, land of colourful clothing and minimalist beach wear. Surprisingly, though, while bare buttocks are the norm on Brazilian beaches, it is strictly against the law to uncover one’s breasts. No doubt the expression of a form of Puritanism focusing single-mindedly on the female upper body.

Non-Puritan Brazilians get their dress from a very different brand, created by Gabrielle Leite, a former prostitute and proud of the fact!
Dress on a very different scale can be found in Salvador da Bahia where women wear the traditional Bahia costume. The skirt is built up with a succession of up to 21 petticoats with French lace by the name of Richelieu - a joy for locals and tourists alike.
The ubiquitous beach outfit which consists of thong bikini and flip flops are in fact a kind of meant-for-all uniform in a mixed society made up successive waves of immigrants. It can be bought anywhere, any time, even at the local fishmonger.
We meet Carlinhos who is a dancer and choreographer at a samba school and grew up in a sprawling slum. His most prized possession is his very expensive carnival outfit.
We thus discover that Brazilians are very relaxed about dress. For example, on Mondays, even lawyers go to work wearing the colours of their favourite local soccer team – and no one raises an eyebrow in the office.