Brazilcore: How Anitta and Hailey Bieber are Redefining Favela Fashion Worldwide

Anitta, Brazil's most successful pop singer today, has just released "Funk Generation," a vibrant and energetic album that perfectly embodies "music for exportation." The album seamlessly blends Brazilian Portuguese, Spanish, and English, with beats influenced by Rio's funk.

Por: Brazilcore

One of the standout tracks, "Fria," sees Anitta donning a yellow and green bikini and dancing the iconic "passinho," a dance rooted in the favelas. This release highlights a broader trend that Anitta, along with international stars like Hailey Bieber and Madonna, is helping to spread worldwide: the resurgence and global appreciation of favela fashion, known as Brazilcore.

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Brazilcore, characterized by the bold use of yellow and green—colors of the Brazilian flag—has its roots deep in the urban neighborhoods of Brazil. During Jair Bolsonaro's presidency (2019-2022), the Brazilian flag became a contentious symbol, often associated with his right-wing supporters.

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However, designers like Abacaxi, born in Rio de Janeiro, are on a mission to reclaim these colors and their symbolism for all Brazilians. Through his fashion label Piña, Abacaxi aims to restore the national identity that resonates with the everyday lives and aesthetics of those in the favelas.

Abacaxi's efforts are part of a larger cultural movement to bring back the "Brazil look" to its origins. The resurgence began with notable events, such as Madonna's iconic free concert in Rio de Janeiro, where she wore Brazilian colors and embraced the flag as a symbol of unity and inclusivity. This powerful gesture inspired many, including participants of the Sao Paulo Trans Pride March, to proudly wear the national colors, marking a renaissance of Brazil's flag as a symbol of national pride beyond political affiliations.

Anitta: The Face of Modern Brazilian Culture

Anitta's influence in this movement cannot be overstated. Her career, which skyrocketed from the favelas of Rio to international stardom, embodies the very essence of Brazilcore.

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Anitta's journey from performing in local favelas to becoming a global ambassador for Brazilian music and culture is inspirational. She has been pivotal in breaking stereotypes associated with Brazilian funk—a genre that was once stigmatized and linked with crime.

Hailey Bieber: Bridging Cultures with Brazilcore

Hailey Bieber, with her Brazilian heritage through her mother Kennya Baldwin, has also played a significant role in popularizing Brazilcore internationally. During a tour in Brazil with her husband Justin Bieber in 2022, Hailey embraced her Brazilian roots, sporting a yellow and green crop top that paid homage to the Brazilian flag. Her fashion choices, shared with millions of followers on Instagram, helped catapult Brazilcore into the global spotlight.

Hailey's connection to Brazil and her public embrace of its fashion have further solidified Brazilcore as a global trend. Her influence, combined with the cultural resonance of icons like Anitta, has helped elevate a style once confined to the favelas into a respected and celebrated aesthetic worldwide.

Brazilcore as a Movement

Brazilcore is more than a trend; it's a movement that redefines national identity through fashion, music, and cultural pride. With icons like Anitta and Hailey Bieber at the forefront, this aesthetic is capturing the world's imagination, transforming the perception of Brazilian culture, and reclaiming its symbols from political misuse.

Through bold fashion statements and powerful cultural expressions, Brazilcore is a testament to the resilience and creativity of Brazil's urban communities, proving that the colors of the Brazilian flag belong to all its people.