Olympic athletes walked Alessa’s runway at Casa Brasil in Milan — where samba energy, sustainable fashion and Brazilian identity collided at Milano Cortina 2026.
A runway unlike any other at the Winter Games
On February 17, the same day Venice was closing its legendary Carnival, Casa Brasil in Milan hosted a fashion show that stopped the city in its tracks. The RIO FASHION SHOW, conceived by Rio-born designer Alessa, turned the Brazilian Olympic Committee’s official space at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games into a stage for fashion, performance, and national pride.
The casting made headlines on its own: Olympic athletes and members of the Brazilian Olympic delegation walked the runway, showcasing Alessa’s creations before an international audience in the heart of the world’s fashion capital.
A collection built as a love letter to Brazil
Milan was not the beginning of this story. The collection was first unveiled at a landmark show atop Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro on Valentine’s Day 2025. It then traveled to Paris Fashion Week as part of the Year of Brazil in France program, before returning to the French capital on February 14 — the opening day of Brazilian Carnival — for a presentation at the legendary Grand Palais.
Each stop carries deliberate symbolism. The Milan date aligned with the close of Venice Carnival, while Paris welcomed the show on the very day Brazil’s Carnival began — weaving a cultural thread across two continents.
“Casa Brasil in Milan is our embassy of celebration and identity. By bringing together our athletes’ performance with fashion, gastronomy, and music, we are honoring the DNA of national creativity. A unique opportunity to show Milan that Brazil’s Olympic spirit reflects our lifestyle, our design, and the infectious joy of our people.” — Manoela Penna, Director of Communications, Marketing and Olympic Values, Brazilian Olympic Committee
Sustainability woven into every look
The collection goes far beyond aesthetics. The sustainable Carnival accessories featured in the show were created in partnership with a women’s NGO at the Christ the Redeemer Sanctuary, blending social craftsmanship with high fashion. Along the runway, sculptures made from recycled materials used facial recognition technology to reflect colors and movements inspired by Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival energy.
Alessa: Rio, Rome, and a family thread to the Vatican
Born in Rio with family roots in Rome, and a great-great-granddaughter of the pope’s tailor, Alessa stepped onto the stage during the show to perform songs rooted in faith, joy, and popular identity. Her setlist included Andar com Fé, A Voz do Morro, and É Hoje — songs that underscored the multidisciplinary nature of the entire project.
Event Info
Casa Brasil — Milano Cortina 2026
Open: February 6–21, 2026
Admission: Free
Organized by: Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB)
Program: Music, art, gastronomy, Olympic ambassadors, and brand activations from COB partners
Photo: Press Release
