Shopping Rio’s Hippie Fair

There were only so many parades, bloco parties, caipiriñhas and sunburns I could take during Rio de Janiero’s famous “Carnaval”.  After all, temperatures hover well over 90 degrees daily during Rio’s summer and “hot” doesn’t even begin to describe it.  So, I turned my back on the beach and turned my attention toward one of my favorite pastimes – shopping.

Every Sunday in Ipanema, at the Praça General Osório (an almost hidden green space in the middle of Ipanema’s sprawling urban confines), there are about 700 vendors selling all kinds of arts and crafts. Thousands of locals and visitors visit the market every week. The Hippie Fair, as it’s dubbed, began in 1968 by a bunch of hippies (really), and it’s grown and evolved into a market that showcases some of Rio’s most talented artisans.

The large selection of hand-crafted jewelry, mostly inexpensive, is particularly noticeable throughout. Beautiful earrings, necklaces, rings and bracelets, all in that audacious Brazilian style, are proudly displayed by their makers. Semi-precious Brazilian gem stones such as amethyst, blue topaz, quartz and citrine are complemented by brightly-colored beads and string to create a look that is quintessentially Cariocan. Also on display are exotic hand-woven leather goods, many adorned with shells and semi-precious stones, too. From these simple fashion accessories to more detailed works of art, it’s a cinch to find something to take home for yourself and friends.

If you’re not interested in jewelry (gasp!) there are other great things to grab, as well as the occasional Brazilian dressed as Carmen Miranda. From colorful figurines to pewter to acrylic-covered trivets made to resemble the famous Copacabana and Ipanema beach promenades, you’ll find a variety of items made by locals.

Traditional Brazilian instruments used to create samba music are also available.  For pretty decent prices you’ll find instruments such as the caxixi, tambourines and various kinds of drums. Throughout the day here, melodious musical sounds can be heard by musicians selling their wares.

Clothes and shoes are also a commodity here at the Hippie Fair. Leather in Brazil? You betcha, especially when it comes in the form of short-shorts. Quintessentially Brazilian, iconic Havaiana flip flops are for the taking and they’re adorned with beads and flowers by hand. You can also pick up your Rio souvenir t-shirt here, too.

The Hippie Fair is probably most noted for the number of talented artists showing work. Don’t come here looking for monochromatic canvases. No, these paintings are as bright, colorful and cheerful as the Brazilian people that create them. Canvases are splashed with visions of beaches, Carnival scenes, favelas and curvaceous women. You can buy a canvas or get one framed on the spot. While most of the paintings are already completed, some artists invariably will be painting on the spot.

Showing tremendous restraint, I left with only four leather bracelets, a fabulous sheer beach cover-up in a bold fuschia and a favela painting. I’m not sure exactly how much I spent, but it was less than $50 US – not a bad price for fashionable souvenirs and a peek at a Rio tradition.

www.rioguiaoficial.com.br 

All photos by Leah Walker.