Looking So Neon

The brand Neon has become a way to distinguish the type of people who exude a cheerful '70s/'80s vibe—in other words, those who usually wear dramatic silk caftans or printed, high-waisted bottoms. Created in 2002 by stylist Dudu Bertholini and patternmaker Rita Comparato, Neon fulfills the desires of a market niche that includes clients such as Björk and Juliette Lewis.

Every season, the print collections are signed by a team of Brazilian illustrators and artists. For spring/summer '09, Neon invited longtime collaborator Fábio Gurjão as well as Andrés Sandoval, Fernando Vilella, Circe Bernardes and Georgina Meyer to create a new universe of patterns.

Gurjão—who is responsible for Neon's first ever print—produced Gauguin-inspired designs for this collection. Currently based in London, he has worked for Hermès in addition to designing his own label FKAWALLYS and running his fanzine Fur. Of his approach, Gurjão explains: "I work with concrete and simple forms cut out in adhesive with a scalpel—that became my trademark."

Sandoval and Vilella also produced standout work for this collection. Though both illustrators are more commonly commissioned for book covers than for clothes, Sandoval created stunning prints representing trunks and animals, while Vilella was inspired by a trip to the Amazon to use stamping techniques of birds and snakes. With these innovative patterns, the Neon distinction is about to get a lot more recognition.

For more information, see www.neonbrazil.com.br.

—Flávia Mendonça