Brasil: A Magical Journey, Macy’s seasonal salute to South America’s Brazil kicks off on Tuesday, May 15th, 2012 at the retailer’s world-famous flagship at Herald Square with a Carnaval-inspired celebration featuring the fashion, food, music, dance and art of Brazil.
The enchanting evening will bring the best of Brazil to New York City’s most iconic department store for a unique cultural celebration with a special presentation by Bebel Gilberto and Sergio Mendes that will bring to life the spirit of Rio de Janeiro, Bahia and the Amazon.
In addition to the festivities, the event will raise funds for a BrazilFoundation initiative in partnership with the Instituto de Pesquisas Ecológicas (The Institute for Ecological Research) benefiting 70 families in the Baixo Rio Negro region, in the Amazon.
The event will also include a runway fashion show, an art exhibition featuring the works of 27 Brazilian artists and epicurean delights from Rio’s renowned celebrity chef Felipe Bronze, to cap the evening’s celebration. Special Carnaval dance performance by Samba Novo, and a Samba costume exhibit will also take place.
“Tonight’s celebration of Brasil: A Magical Journey is a culmination of our commitment to one of the most dynamic countries in the world and a salute to our partnership with BrazilFoundation and their wonderful works,” says Martine Reardon, Macy’s chief marketing officer. “For the first time, we are presenting a country promotion that celebrates art and fashion with a merchandise and marketing campaign while bringing the mystique of far-away places in-store. The influence of Brazil in the global marketplace and the cultural richness of Brazil’s artistic, musical, and culinary and fashion communities served as the inspiration to create a unique in-store celebration that would captivate the imagination of our local and international shoppers.”
“BrazilFoundation is proud to partner with Macy’s in Brasil: A Magical Journey campaign and to know that resources raised at the event will help improve the lives of a community of 70 families in the Rio Negro region. Relying on the forest and the river, the livelihood of these communities is intrinsically linked to the environment. The project supported will focus on promoting sustainable agricultural practices, increasing food security and generating income for these families. We are glad that, with Macy’s support, we can increase our efforts to support community-led development in the region,” says Patricia Lobaccaro, president and CEO, BrazilFoundation.
Confirmed guests include Ambassador of Brazil to the United States Mauro Vieira; Globo TV stars Fiorella Mattheis, Fiuk and Raphael Viana; Filmmaker Carlos Saldanha; Pedro Andrade; Luciana Curtis; Tassara Vilaca and Lisalla Montenegro.
Sponsors of this magical evening and Brasil: A Magical Journey includes presenting partners Apex Brasil and Calvin Klein, and supporting partners: Delta Airlines, Pestana Hotels & Resorts and Globo TV.
