# Carandaí 25 Festival Showcases 150 Independent Brands in Rio de Janeiro The free four-day event at Jockey Club features sustainable fashion and cultural programming. - **Source:** [G1 – Globo](https://g1.globo.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-04 - **Topic:** [culture](https://brifing.si/c/culture) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/446f7e27-8f95-4cd2-b522-935e12546a54 ## Festival Returns to Rio The Carandaí 25 festival returns to the Jockey Club Brasileiro in Gávea, Rio de Janeiro, from November 5 to 8. This edition features approximately 150 independent brands, offering a platform for creative entrepreneurs. The event is open to the public with free admission, aiming to connect local designers with a broad consumer audience. ## Sustainable Fashion Initiative A highlight of this year's event is the participation of the Instituto Dona de Si, which supports women from Morro dos Prazeres. Through the Lab Upcycling project, participants transform discarded uniforms and protective equipment from the oil company PRIO into new accessories. All proceeds from these sales directly benefit the participating artisans. ## Empowering Local Artisans Founded by actress Suzana Pires, the Instituto Dona de Si currently assists 50 women through professional training in cutting, sewing, and modeling. Now in its second year, the project has evolved to focus on commercializing products, allowing these women to showcase their craftsmanship alongside established designers at the prestigious Carandaí 25 festival. ## Diverse Creative Exhibitors Beyond upcycled goods, the festival hosts a wide array of creative talent from across Brazil. First-time exhibitors include ceramic artist Elisa Parpinelli, presenting handmade jewelry, and designer Rodrigo Evangelista, known for his maximalist aesthetic. These additions reflect the festival's commitment to highlighting diverse artistic expressions and innovative techniques within the contemporary fashion landscape. ## Awards and Recognition The event includes a formal recognition ceremony, the Prêmio Revelação, scheduled for Friday, November 6. This award honors ten standout brands across categories such as innovation, sustainability, and textile printing. This initiative serves to encourage emerging designers and promote excellence in the Brazilian independent fashion market while fostering a culture of creative development. ## Cultural and Musical Programming The festival offers a comprehensive cultural agenda, including musical performances by artists such as Dora Vergueiro, Mariana Volker, and the Quarteto Urubatan. On Sunday, the social project Favela Brass will perform, highlighting the event's integration of community-based artistic initiatives. These performances provide a vibrant backdrop for the fashion exhibitions throughout the four-day schedule. ## Workshops and Wellness Sessions Attendees can participate in a variety of interactive sessions, ranging from yoga and meditation to specialized workshops in perfumery, ceramics, and floral arrangements. These activities, led by experts and partners like Sebrae Rio, encourage public engagement with the creative process, bridging the gap between professional design practices and the everyday lifestyle of visitors. ## Impact of Independent Festivals Events like Carandaí 25 play a crucial role in the Brazilian creative economy by providing visibility for small-scale producers. By combining commercial opportunities with social projects and educational workshops, the festival creates a sustainable ecosystem for independent brands. This model demonstrates how local fashion can thrive while simultaneously addressing social and environmental challenges. ## Sources covering this story - https://g1.globo.com/guia/guia-rj/noticia/2026/11/04/carandai-25-reune-150-marcas-autorais-e-atracoes-gratuitas-no-jockey-club-na-zona-sul-do-rio.ghtml — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._