The fashion and beauty industries are full of interesting people from all over the world with great taste – the types you can count on for the best travel recommendations. So, we ask them about their favorite foods, places to shop and life in their cities. Consider this series a person’s travel guide to fashion and beauty.
One only needs to take a quick look at Patricia Bonaldi’s product, PatBo, to see how much her Brazilian heritage informs her art. Season after season, the label shows its cultural pride with unique handmade details, bold colors and sensual silhouettes. Fourteen years on, PatBo has become a global household name – regularly shown at New York Fashion Week and worn by celebrities including Beyoncé, Olandria, Suki Waterhouse, Chloe Bailey and Selena Gomez. But its Brazilian essence has not changed one bit.
Bonaldi has a strong tie to the vibrant city of São Paulo. This is where PatBo opened his very first store in 2014 (and still has a flagship).
“São Paulo is a city that’s constantly being renewed, and that’s something I really like,” Bonaldi told Ujo Shop via email. “My relationship with São Paulo is one of fascination and intellectual connection with professionals. It is a place where different cultures, styles and directions come together, and that has always been a great source of inspiration for me.”
Naturally, we asked the designer for his advice on São Paulo’s best fashion show. Below, Bonaldi shares all the best places to drink, eat, shop, sleep and more.
What food/dish should everyone who goes to São Paulo try?
I would say a good Brazilian moqueca. It is a dish that best expresses the richness of our cuisine – full of colour, aroma and personality. I love how authentic Brazilian ingredients come together to create something complex, with layers of flavor and presence.
Where is your favorite place in São Paulo to get breakfast?
I really enjoy the breakfast at Fasano. It has such a beautiful, calm and welcoming atmosphere. It is one of those places where you can start the day slowly, even within the rhythm and intensity of the city.
Where is your favorite place to get lunch?
I love lunch at Maní. A restaurant that perfectly interprets Brazilian ingredients both sophisticated and creative. I find it inspiring to see our culinary culture presented in an original and refined way.
Where is your favorite place to get coffee?
I really like Suplicy Cafés. Besides the excellent coffee, it’s a fun place to pause throughout the day.
Where is your favorite place to have dinner in São Paulo?
One of my favorite places for dinner is Taraz, Rosewood São Paulo. It best represents the city’s new food scene – sophisticated, creative and focused on Brazilian ingredients reinterpreted in a contemporary way. It’s more than a dinner — it’s a complete experience of atmosphere, beauty and taste.
If you were planning a trip to São Paulo, where would you stay?
I would choose Rosewood São Paulo. It reflects the new Brazilian luxury – sophisticated, modern and deeply connected to art, design and local culture. I love the feeling of being in a place that celebrates Brazil in such an authoritative and beautiful way, without exaggeration, but with a strong identity.
Which tourist attraction do you think is worth visiting?
Avenida Paulista. I think it represents São Paulo very well: movement, culture, architecture, art and diversity all in one place. Especially on Sundays, when the avenue takes on an even more special energy.
If you only had time to visit one museum or gallery while in São Paulo, which would you choose?
I would choose MASP. Apart from being an architectural icon, its collection is amazing. Art has always been a great source of inspiration for me, especially when it comes to color, form and storytelling.
Where do you shop for fashion, beauty, etc. in São Paulo? What do you think are the most unique stores you frequent?
I really enjoy the Jardins area, especially with its curated selection of both Brazilian and international products. I also like to visit small, mostly craft shops where I can find pieces with originality and craftsmanship.
What is the best place to buy souvenirs in São Paulo? Is there a favorite part of something?
I love Feira da Benedito Calixto for finding pieces with a Brazilian soul — handicrafts, decorative items and antiques. I think these are monuments that carry history and authenticity.
Where would you go in nature/near São Paulo?
I really like to go to the farmhouse in Atibaia. It is a place where I can slow down and reconnect with nature. I love the simple sophistication of the countryside – the peace, the greenery and this slow rhythm that contrasts so well with the intensity of the city.
What’s your favorite recent discovery in São Paulo?
My most recent discovery has been watching the growing movement of new Brazilian creators – artists, designers, chefs and entrepreneurs who are redefining Brazil in the most interesting ways. São Paulo continues to be the main stage for this.