Category: 
While I was at the Cooper-Hewitt, I picked up the latest issue of Selvedge magazine, one of the loveliest magazines ever.
I was particularly taken by these beautiful photographs by Fedor Van der Valk, displaying the colorful clothing worn by women in Salvador, Bahia in Brazil. I was lucky enough to visit Bahia several years ago and it is a magical place.
I remember one afternoon in particular, a lunch I had with some friends: the restaurant was nestled into a hillside, we ate crab steeped in spices and coconut milk and hummingbirds hovered around us, sucking the nectar out of the tropical flowers that covered the hillside. Though I lived in Brazil for close to a year, I only spent a week in Bahia and it was so brief and feverish, sometimes I think I made up the whole thing.
By the way, “saudade” is a Portuguese word for a feeling of longing for something that one is fond of, which is gone, but might return in a distant future. It is considered one of the hardest words to directly translate and so it is a word that is disctinct to the Portuguese culture. When I saw these photos, I immediately felt a surge of saudade.
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This entry was posted on Thursday, June 7th, 2007 at 7:38 am and is filed under art, fashion, inspiration. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
what beautiful memories, and what a perfect word to describe a complex feeling.
i got that issue when I was in London, and even though I’ve never been to Bahia, that was my favorite piece too. i think i need a subscription to selvedge…
i was just looking at this magazine last night. it is simply beautiful.
and the idea of this word, saudade. that just invited me to tear up. wow. thank you for sharing this word and your experience.
oh wow i’d love to hear more about your time in brazil etc. ..i wish styles like these were more common in the u.s.
Hi Kayte,
I just recently started reading your blog and I was hooked after reading your ‘about’ page when it meantioned you do work with anthropolgie. It’s one of my favorite stores
I love your style and I find you incredibly inspiring. I just started a blog recently, I would be honored if you checked it out.
Thanks!
This is absolutely stunning!!!!!!
”word for a feeling of longing for something that one is fond of, which is gone, but might return in a distant future.”
… Ótima tradução da palavra saudade!
Greetings From cloudy São Paulo….!
i’m headed to brasil again in a few weeks, and i think that is the perfect description of it, !
If you’re ever in the Northern part of Brasil, check out the gorgeous rendas or handmade laces. You can find these beautiful works in the Northeast-Salvador and Fortaleza are the best places to find them affordable and in abundance. I picked up a few blouses and a tablecloth at Fennearte in Recife last year. If you are an artist or creative type, Northeastern Brasil is a great place to visit and to seek inspiration. The people are warm and friendly, the food is amazing, culture fascinating and the beaches are so inviting. Saudade!
http://www.maria-brazil.org/brazilian_laces.htm
You can see some pictures here though they don’t do them justice-you must see them in person
http://www.fatimarendas.com.br/
this company has stores throughout Brasil but they can be quite pricey! It’s better to buy in bulk from the smaller towns or handicraft markets…check out the fashion show video from Recife!
Dear All,
The images from the `bahia production are made by Paul Barbera and not by me Fedor van der Valk.