Fashion Rio kicks off in Brazil

On the catwalk, models showed wool coats, long sweaters and leather dresses.

On the catwalk, wool coats, long sweaters and leather dresses, as designers unveil their 2009 fall and winter collections at Fashion Rio in Brazil.

The bi-annual fashion week kicked off in Rio de Janeiro on Monday.

One of the event's new designers, Giulia Borges.

SOUNDBITE: Giulia Borges, Designer (Portuguese):

"It was a mixture of influences and references put together to make up an ethnic picture that is not literal."

According to the Textile and Apparel Industry Association, fashion has been big business for Brazil. Since 2002, fashion exports have grown an average of 5 percent every year - and brought in $185 million dollars in 2008.

But, this year, business may not be the same. The textile association warned in its annual report that the global credit crunch may lead to a slowdown.

The glum financial news didn't stop the designers though. 21-year-old fashion student Juana Galvao praised the news designers' styles.

SOUNDBITE: Fashion student Juana Galvao (Portuguese):

"The collection looks beautiful and their originality was great with the accessories, the stockings. I think it was great."

Fashion Rio runs through Friday.

Sarah Irwin, Reuters.