Since the launch of this Blog, about 3 years ago, many question me about the differences between samba and Brazilian carnival costumes. Many think a true samba dance costume is the same as a carnival parade costume, or vice versa. Others don´t understand what there is such a difference in the prices of carnival and samba costumes, and their purposes. The objective of this post is to explain basically 2 types ofBrazilian Carnival costumes, the samba dance costumes, and the parade carnival costume. Foreigners may think Rio and Brazil carnival costumes “are all the same”, with the bikini look or “lots of feathers”. There are huge differences within these costumes, and the main reason for the difference is its use and purpose.
Below we see a true samba dancer costume, but because of its luxurious materials like pheasant feathers, Swarovski Crystals, it can also be used for shows. If this costume had less feathers and ornaments, it could be a became a simple "passista" costume.
True samba dance costumes, are worn by the famous “passistas”, ( see definition in link) , professional samba dancers that devote their lives all year long for samba dancing profession. These in general are subdivided into two categories: lighter type samba costumes, made specifically for a parade, and the “show-girl” samba dancer costume, as the name implies, made for samba dance shows. The latter, the “show girl samba dancer” type, is supposed to be much more resistant, since they will be used over and over. Samba dance shows, just like a theater play, may be scheduled for a tour and go on for months. For this reason, this kind of samba dance costumes, must be resistant, normally with feathers, but overall comfortable so as to make sure the “passistas” use all their skills on the show.
The first kind, the lighter one we mentioned earlier, are normally used once or twice, during a specific event. These costumes may have less clothing, to make possible open air performances, and have a different kind of assembly. They are usually not made with materials made to last innumerous parades. This is not to say they are supposed to “fall apart” after a few performances, obviously. What both have in common, ( described above ) samba dancer costume, again, is that they have less clothing, where made to aid the samba dancing ( which is different then parading ) and therefore proportionally cheaper than full Carnival costumes, for the simples models without luxurious pheasant feathers, for example.
Now Rio or Brazil Carnival costumes make part of a whole new kind of category: These where made basically for “normal” revelers, members of a samba school. They were not made for dancers and the strict sense of the meaning. They were made to aid the Carnival Art Director, the Carnavalesco ( see definition ), build his plot for a parade. Normally, these kinds of costumes have even a name, since they are attached or part of a specific wing within a samba school parade. Generally, these costumes are larger, fancier, and heavier. These costumes normally have shoulder pads for example, called “esplendor” in Portuguese, many feathers all around the costume, and much more of clothing overall.
These “parade costumes” also use prime materials, but are generally heavier than samba dance costumes. Revelers who use the traditional “parade costumes”, normally don´t dance at the parade, they “parade” within their wing, or have a special choreography determined by its Wing Director or Carnival Art Designer. Of course, prices within parade costumes can also vary dramatically: The more quality materials used like pheasant feathers, silk, embroidery (hand-made ) work, can make these costumes very expensive, but also built to last if treated with care.
Below, another example of a traditional samba-school wing parade costume, or Brazilian carnival costume. As you can see, here the reveler represents Cleopatra Costume in Egypt Style.
We hope we could help you understand a little bit more of the nuances of the Brazilian Carnival costumes and samba wear. All the best!
Did you know Brazil Carnival Costumes are in true vogue right now. Brazilian Carnival Festivities once restricted to the Rio, now expanded all throughout Brazil and especially worldwide. I am going to support your with real data so can see this is no marketing fluff. This culture which stated on the early 30´s in Rio, now can be seen in diverse countries as Japan, Finland, Germany, England, United States, Sweden, and even in Australia, to mention a few. There are organizations of samba in many of these countries too! Incredible!
But to buy authentic Brazilian samba wear is not as simples as it make seem. Careful buyers have to make sure the materials and design have the appropriate look, quality and style. You would not like to have your Brazil Carnival costumes made with cheap materials, would you? The reason is simple; costumes made with unaccredited producers most certainly fall apart after a few presentations.
Brazil Samba-show girls costumes, for example, must be built to last. They need to have a special kind of crafting built for endurance, since many of these samba dancers performs sometimes 4-5 days a week, and sometimes more than 1 presentation per day. Feathers are not supposed to fall apart, iron structures are not supposed to hurt the samba dancer or impede her movements, and general outfit must maintain its elegance.
Below we present three different kinds of Brazil Carnival Costumes in Videos: A traditional samba-show luxury costume, a Brazilian Carnival Art Costume, and a Halloween or Brazil Carnival Celebrity Costume.
Important to note each has its appropriate audience and destination.
It is with great honor and enthusiasm we communicate the official launch of www.brazilcarnivalshop.com website. After years of research within the local carnival community and abroad, we noticed the lacking of a detailed site, which truly represented the authenticity of Brazilian Carnival, Samba & festival costumes.
It was our desire to present original carnival & samba costumes of many different categories, made in Brazil, by Brazilian craftsmen using superior quality, allied with sophisticated design. We wanted to show traditional and innovative costumes in full details, describing every element of the costume.
Brazilcarnivalshop.com presents a full portfolio of costume designs, from samba dancing show costumes, to exuberant art costumes, made exclusively for one parade “destaques”, or costume for museums, galleries and special presentations.
We are able to deliver costumes for entire wings upon a specific request, designed to fit your budget and deliver it directly to your address. We also present a catalog of existing costumes ready to be purchased immediately. Finally, we have an express service which can tailor a costume for a specific event and deliver it within 48 hours upon the final briefing request / contact.
We hope you will enjoy the variety of our Art Costumes, Queen of Drums Costumes, Show Girls costumes, Celebrities Costumes, Baianas Costumes, Drummers costumes, any other you might think of, for men and women.
Brazilcarnivalshop.com has partnered with Brazil Carnival Ooah!, (first reference in Google.com.br for “brazil carnival” term) and one of the leading sites in the world for the Brazilian Carnival culture in English, with thousands of unique page views per month. Another partner of this endeavor is Brazil Carnival Twitter , with more than 10K followers, and our Carnival You Tube Channel, which has uploaded 200 Carnival culture related videos.
Finally, www.brazilcarnivashop.comhas partnered exclusively with Carnival Art Director Bruno Villaça, a traditional carnival set & costume designer, whose life is directly linked to the history of Carnival in Rio, (see link). Bruno is a true pioneer in the selling of Brazilian Carnival costumes through the Internet, starting to export costumes back in 2004. He holds an impressive track record of 1800 costumes shipped, for parades, shows, corporate events, contest and entire samba-school wings.
We are already taking orders and offering carnival, samba, and celebrities costumes that fits your budget, starting at US$ 100,00, all the way to those glamorous “Rainhas de Bateria “ costumes of up to US$ 10.000,00.
Hope we could serve you, accepting your thoughts and suggestions.
All the best and long live Carnival!
Brazil Carnival Shop Team: Andre Skowronski - Bruno Villaça - Maria Cristina Skowronski-Flynn
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