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Neon Spring 2013: An Afternoon Picnic With Some Very Special Prints

SAO PAULO--Neon designers Dudu Bertholini and Rita Comparato are known in Brazil for their original prints and eccentricity. Both were heavily on display yesterday afternoon at Ibirabuara Park (Sao Paulo's Central Park) outside the fashion week venue. "I think this collection really translates what Neon is because our trademark is our exclusive prints," Comparato told us before the show. There were some outlandish looks--a swimsuit bottom with suspenders for instance. But there were also some awesomely wearable looks, like cute short suits and skirts for those willing to experiment with some very unusual prints. Prints that don't look like what you might find on a Prabal Gurung or a Peter Pilotto, but rather prints that look like they're indigenous to an exotic country, created by local artists. Which, these are. The designers invite over 50 artists to collaborate with them on the prints and everything is made in Brazil. While that makes production more difficult and expensive, the finished result is unlike anything you'd find in the states (unless you count the brand's recent Macy's collaboration--part of the retailer's "Magical journey through Brazil" campaign).