When you hear or read about Rio de Janeiro, chances are your thoughts land in bright carnival colours, the warm Ipanema beach filled with children playing football, and maybe some bossa nova. While it’s a bustling South American city with millions of inhabitants, Rio is also a bit of a paradise, particularly for those of us who come from colder climates. And just like the city that saw its birth, FARM Rio is a brand full of colour, with a lot of personality and a beachy feeling to it.
For over 20 years, FARM Rio has turned into one of Brazil’s most beloved clothing and lifestyle brands. It began as a stand at a local independent fashion market called Babilonia Feira Hype, where its founders Katia Barros and Marcello Bastos launched a clothing line that mirrored the bright colours of Rio while also embodying a free and feminine spirit. This was in 1997, and they’ve grown to have stores all over Brazil, plus one in New York, one in Miami, and one in Los Angeles, specifically on Venice’s iconic Abbot Kinney Blvd.
The stars of FARM’s catalogue are its beautiful dresses for all occasions, including mini, maxi, midi, and wrap dresses, with a lovely variety of prints in vibrant colours. Beyond their dresses, you can also find puffer jackets, tops, jumpsuits, rompers, pants, skirts, shorts, sweaters, knits, t-shirts, denim, swimwear, outerwear, and accessories like sandals, trainers (like those from their collabs with Adidas), bags, necklaces, hats, and earrings. Their collections are inspired by the hues of Rio, and that staple look is noticeable in each gorgeously crafted piece.
Besides their beautiful designs, so in touch with the vibrancy of Rio de Janeiro, one thing that sets FARM apart is its commitment to sustainability. The brand’s designs are heavily inspired by nature, and they’ve set out to honour it as an essential part of their work. Their biggest step has been in carbon offsetting: they’ve implemented a policy of planting one tree in the Amazon rainforest for each purchase, whether it’s in their stores, through retail, or online. For this, FARM has partnered with One Tree Planted, to aid reforestation in the Amazon.
The Amazon rainforest is the largest in the world, and most of it is located in Brazil. Unconscious farming practises have endangered the flora and fauna of this vital region, which is so essential to the planet’s health it’s often called the Earth’s lungs. There are yearly fires across the Amazon rainforest that kill hectares of vital land and animals, a tragedy that FARM and its customers are helping mitigate.
The brand is also constantly on the lookout for new sustainable materials to work with, which has led to up to 50% lower emissions and water impact, use of reused water during production, and certification of eco-responsibility. FARM is constantly researching what are the most sustainable alternatives to their materials, making sure the fibres they use are responsibly produced and independently certified.
One of the most interesting approaches to sustainability this Brazilian brand has to offer is its respect for the ancient practises of the Amazon indigenous groups: in 2017, they began a partnership with the local Yawanawa people. Through it, FARM helps structure the group’s handicraft chain to boost the local economy, and they’re also involved in reforestation projects, digital inclusion, and cultural festivals. FARM Rio is a beautiful South American brand with a fascinating offer of products, and the perfect place to find statement pieces, while also supporting the local practises and reforestation of one of the most essential regions on Earth.