Waxing lyrical over Brazil
But the founder of distribution company Alchera's passion is based on more than just the warmth and generosity of her Brazilian business contacts.
Having helped launch renowned brands such as Third Millennium, Louche and Sally Smith in its former guise as a fashion agency, Alchera now sees top notch Brazilian imports as the next big thing in high end fashion. With this in mind, Mantese is now poised to launch new Brazilian labels Gisele Barbosa and Lucidez into the Australian market for spring.
"Gisele Barbosa is one of the most inspiring designers we have ever worked with. Her ability to combine high fashion with a true artist's sensibilities is outstanding. Gisele often talks about how she puts love into her collection and this immediately noticeable, each piece you just want to take home.
"The current autumn collection is inspired by the colours and textures of the sea and coastline. Gisele not only offers a point of difference for the Australian market but around the world," Mantese said.
With dresses priced $400 to $600, tops $120 to $350 and skirts $300 to $450, Gisele Barbosa was set for distribution by exclusive boutiques including Husk in Melbourne, Ruby & Min and Curve in Sydney and Bellissima in Brisbane.
Meanwhile Lucidez offered "a great sense of style and contemporary fashion in beautiful Brazilian fabrics, specialising in high quality jersey and fantastic prints in jersey," Mantese said, adding that unlike many Brazilian brands the Lucidez collection had the added advantage of offering generous fits from size 10 to 16.
With prospective stockists including Von Troska, Acumen and Nectar in Sydney and Melbourne boutiques Ooshka and Origen, Lucidez dresses would retail for $200 to $350, tops for $100 to $220, pants from $160 to $220 and jackets from $250 to 400.
"Working with Brazilian brands enables us as a distributor to offer a much great degree of exclusivity to our boutique market," Mantese explained.
"The combination of the Brazilian lifestyle, a history of creative handiwork and detailing and a thriving textile and garment industry make Brazil a unique source."