Designer.

THE CITY TALK

IS THERE A COOL FASHION ITEM YOU CAN BUY ONLY IN RIO?
Not a specific brand nor specifically from Rio, but I like straw hats and bags from Bahia.

24H IN RIO. WHAT WOULD YOU SUGGEST TO GET THE ULTIMATE CARIOCA EXPERIENCE?
I would recommend having breakfast inside of the Jardim Botânico followed by a promenade inside of the botanical garden. Then you could go to the end of Ipanema beach, in Arpoador. I think it is the most special one. After that you can get a city bike and cycle all the way until Urca. I used to do that a lot. It's a beautiful and the safest neighborhood in Rio. There you have to get a fresh beer at the bar da Urca which we call here “mureta”.
You could also have a walk around the Museu do Amanha and then go up to Santa Teresa; I think it's amazing to go there from Lapa. You take the Selarón stairs and maybe have a late lunch there, in the bohemian part of Rio. On your way back, you can have a drink at the Fasano rooftop.
I also love going to “botecos” (editor’s note: Brazil’s version of a bar/pub), and there's this thing called “premio comida de boteco” which is an annual election of the best “boteco”. Some of those participating are very far from the city center. I used to do this thing with friends where I rented a van for 20 people. We would go out at mid-day testing all the “botecos” and coming back at 10pm, completely drunk (laughs). Another place I love going to is “Bar do David” which is in the favela of Leme. You can also go to the waterfalls in Horto, but maybe it’s too much for only one day (laughs).

SOMETHING YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD?
I think Leblon is an easy neighborhood. You are near São Conrado and Ipanema, you have the beach, you have lots of supermarkets and shopping centers, and you have good restaurants. You have everything at walking distance.

MOST UNEXPECTED PLACE DO YOU LOVE TO GO TO?
I just went once but I really want to go back to the Baile Charme in Madureira. The style there is amazing. Most of the suppliers I work with are from there. So I really go to this neighborhood all the time and I am always looking out for new “botecos” or restaurants to try out. Sometimes I take a picture of the places when they are closed not to forget to come back later to taste their food!

WHAT IS THE BEST MOMENT OF THE YEAR TO BE IN RIO ACTUALLY?
During Carnival! It’s cliché but…

I DON’T THINK TOURISTS DO CARNIVAL LIKE WE DO (LAUGHS)…
Yeah (laughs). It’s too much to take but it is an incredible vibe. I love May in Rio because I don't like very hot weather. I love winter here, it’s amazing, and you can still go to the beach without feeling too hot at night. It’s perfect.

WHAT’S THE BEST PLACE TO PARTY?
I feel in Rio, every person who tried the culture of nightclubs, failed. The only nightclubs that are working are the gay ones. We do have great itinerants parties though: Selvagem, Novo Romance, there are a lot… Usually they happen once a month. So if you know these, every weekend you have a party to go to. I love this thing about street parties.

IF YOU WERE NOT LIVING IN RIO, WHERE WOULD YOU CHOOSE TO BE?
I always think about London. Although it is a big city, I do feel at home there because I know a lot of people. But if we were talking about a dream place to live then I would say Italy, living in a beautiful Tuscan house… People there have good energy and the food is good.

VERY TRUE. THANK YOU BETINA XX
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Photographer : Nayara Barros
Creative Direction : Lisa Debatty
Production : OuiSimone

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