ancestral
For its first foray into Brazil, ZOOT´s Brazilian fashion editor Anderson Vescah and his local creative crew dive deep into the cultural pulse of the tropics. Together, they capture the spirit, style, and soul of a region shaped by lush nature and ancestral legacy. This story celebrates the vibrant influence of Indigenous and African identities — the true architects of Brazil’s stunning visual and cultural language.
Photography Alex Santana
Styling Anderson Vescah
Beauty Mary Saavedra
Fashion Producer Jhon Helder
Executive Production Aline Santana
Model Jhulli Felipe
Retouch by Marcio Moraes
Drawing from the rich flora, fauna, and tactile beauty that define artisanal craftsmanship, this editorial explores the deep — and often overlooked — connection between heritage and design, nature and culture. It celebrates the authenticity and creativity rooted in tropical traditions.
ZOOT’s fashion editor, Anderson Vescah, curates a new wave of Black and Indigenous designers who channel ancestral memory and place racial representation at the heart of their work. Their creations — bold, intimate, and unapologetically grounded — are captured through the lens of Brazilian photographer Alex Santana. His visual approach, inspired by the documentary style of French photographer and ethnographer Pierre Verger, echoing the spirit of Black and Indigenous identity that shapes Brazil’s visual culture.
Monica Sampaio, creator of Santa Resistência, says her brand was born with the mission of celebrating Afro-Brazilian aesthetics, focusing on slow fashion. Producing timeless pieces that are designed, cut, and sewn with care and soul, the brand follows a fair and conscious production chain.
My purpose in fashion has always been to create a space for reflection and visibility, where people can see themselves. In my case, I proudly make Black fashion.
Monica Sampaio
Day Molina was the first woman in Brazil to address Indigenous representation in fashion, founding the #DecolonizeFashion movement, which has inspired structural changes in the fashion scene.
DAY Molina
We need to normalize Indigenous presence and leadership in all creative spaces. Brazil is Indigenous land, and we don’t feel represented. This is disrespectful. If representation matters for everyone, why should it be different for us?
DIH Morais, a newcomer to Brazilian runways, creates fashion inspired by Orixás, using colors, objects, and elements that evoke afro-diasporic culture.
I’m reaching a space that the system said a Black, Quilombola boy from the periphery would never reach. It moves me. I often say that my space is not just a studio; it’s a quilombo, where people share their stories and transform memories into affection through art.
Dih Morais
FASHION REFERENCES
DAY MOLINA @molina.ela
DIH MORAIS @dihmoraisbrand
MONICA SAMPAIO @monicasamaiosr
NALIMO@nalimo_____
ALEX ROCCA @__alexrocca for SANTA RESISTÊNCIA @santaresistencia
To boot…
ZOOT IN BRAZIL: BÚZIOS
A travel report by Anderson Vescah
It’s always the places you don’t plan too much that surprise you the most. That’s how Búzios felt — like stumbling into a beautifully choreographed scene you didn’t know you needed to be part of. What started as a sleepy fishing village now plays host to the world, and somehow still holds onto its peaceful soul. We went during peak season and still found space to breathe, to celebrate, and to let the sea set the pace.
Nestled in Rio’s Região dos Lagos, Búzios is that rare mix of wild coastline and refined charm. It’s hard to believe that just decades ago, it was all boats and nets and salty air. Then came Brigitte Bardot in the ’60s — the original escape artist — and Búzios became something else entirely: glamorous, timeless, and quietly exclusive. Her spirit lingers along the promenade Orla Bardot, lined with sculptures and colonial houses, and the statue of the actress — a tribute to the woman who revealed Búzios to the world.
This wasn’t just a photoshoot trip for ZOOT — it felt more like a reset. A chance to lean into the slower rhythm and reconnect with what we love about travel: beauty, simplicity, good company. Here’s what made it unforgettable for our team:
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>> Where We Stayed: Enseada do Gancho
📍 [@enseadadoganchobuzios]
Tucked into the curve of Manguinhos Beach, this new boutique hotel welcomed us with a kind of barefoot elegance that matched the mood of the town. Picture wood, stone, open-air hallways, and the Atlantic Forest right at your doorstep. The architecture highlights open areas, natural textures, and a deep connection to the surrounding vegetation. Enseada do Gancho doesn’t try too hard — and that’s its charm. It’s peaceful, warm, full of understated elegance, and made us feel like we belonged there, even if just for a weekend.
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>> Where We Ate (and Toasted to the Day): Jubá
📍 [@jubabuzios]
After a long day of shooting, Jubá at Praia dos Ossos was exactly what we needed. The space is casual but sharp — open-air, a mix of wood and tile, with just the right energy. It’s built for groups, and so is the menu: skewers, pizzas, small plates meant to be shared. No fuss, just good food you eat with your hands, around a table full of friends. We showed up tired but happy, still sandy, still talking through the day. The drinks came fast, the food kept coming, and the evening stretched into one of those unplanned moments that turn into a highlight. Loud stories, second rounds, a sunset toast. It felt like the perfect close to the kind of day we came here for.
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>> Where We Celebrated: Ubatuba Sailboat
📍 [@veleiroubatubabuzios]
There’s no better way to say goodbye to Búzios than from the deck of a sailboat. The Ubatuba I — lovingly run by a local family, Otto, Márcia, and Ricardo — has been doing this for years. You can feel it in the way everything is set up: easy, well-paced, no show, no stress. They took us around the islands as the sun dipped below the horizon. We boarded in the late afternoon and headed out just as the light started to shift. Smooth water, a few islands in the distance, the breeze cutting the heat. It was calm and just right after a packed few days. No agenda, no rush. Just the team stretched out on deck, passing snacks, taking in the view, letting the wind and water do their thing. With music playing, the ocean breeze in our hair, and that soft Brazilian light over everything, it was one of those moments you want to bottle. Pure and simple — the perfect farewell.
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>> How We Got There: In Búzios Transfers
📍 [@inbuzios]
Even before we saw the sea, we felt taken care of. In Búzios met us at the airport in Rio and drove us straight to the hotel in style. With A/C, Wi-Fi, and real-time tracking, the ride was smooth and stress-free. Their team’s been doing this for over 30 years, and it shows — reliable, comfortable, and exactly what we needed to kick off our trip. The journey was about two hours, but the comfort of the ride made it feel effortless. We relaxed, chatted, and enjoyed the view as we headed toward our home base for the next few days. A luxury start to the trip — we loved it!
Búzios wasn’t just beautiful. It was freeing.
Anderson Vescah, ZOOT fashion editor
From calm mornings at the hotel to dancing waves and long dinners with sandy feet, every moment felt a little like a postcard — except it was all real. Thank you all and until next time!
