Arms outstretched, gaze slightly downward, covered in millions of soapstone tiles, and placed atop a pedestal, Christ the Redeemer stands watch over Rio de Janeiro from its perch on Corcovado. With Brazil’s Guanabara Bay in the distance, the statue keeps an eye on the fabled beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana. Passionate, dynamic, colorful, Rio is a city that is bursting with a zest for life. This energy is palpable during the numerous celebrations and events that have taken place in the city, including the Summer Olympics, two World Cups, Carnival, and more. Rio de Janeiro is home to the expressive dance of the samba, which perfectly embodies the high-tempo rhythms of the city.
Whether it is the sound of a record by bossa nova pioneer João Gilberto or the reverberations of a massive Madonna concert on Copacabana Beach, Rio does not cater to those looking for peace and quiet. Beyond the musical output, the city is also a major influence in the world of design, inspiring the likes of Oscar Niemeyer and Roberto Burle Marx. Then there is Copacabana Palace, a true icon of the Rio landscape and the hotel of choice for members of the jet set for the past century. This and more pop off the pages of Assouline’s Rio de Janeiro, with local insights from Bruno Astuto.
About The Author:
Bruno Astuto is a Brazilian journalist born in Rio who has been contributing to Vogue Brasil for two decades and to O Globo, Brazil’s largest newspaper. One of the greatest chroniclers of Brazilian social and cultural life and the international fashion scene, Astuto is a bibliophile who owns more than 10,000 books, has a degree in law, and speaks seven languages. He is currently the chief creative officer of JHSF, Brazil’s leading luxury conglomerate. Philanthropically, he is connected to the cause of children who have neurosensory disabilities or neurodivergence, having served as president of Our World. He is the author of several books, among them Catarina de Médicis and In the Spirit of Rio, and has collaborated on various Assouline titles, including Granado, Louis Vuitton: Virgil Abloh, and Punta del Este.
