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Paulistanos work hard to line their pocketbooks, and they spend their cash with equal zeal. Product highlights include Brazilian designer clothing, art, antiques, jewelry, handicrafts, and articles for home decoration.
25 de Março Street Head downtown to Rua 25 de Março street to watch Brazilians of all stripes shop til they drop. An average of 400,000 people a day flock to this shopping district to find items like textiles and toys. São Paulo; www.guiada25.com.br (Portuguese only)
Amoa Konoya The owners of Amoa Konoya travel to remote communities throughout Brazil. Browse the fruits of their journeys – collections of indigenous arts and crafts – here. Pinheiros; Rua João Moura 1002; 011-55-11-3061-0639; amoakonoya.com.br
Daslu This haute shopping mall is so exclusive that there is no pedestrian entrance – visitors arrive either by car or helicopter. Guests shop bold-faced names like Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, and Maria Bonita. Vila Olímpia; Ave. Chedid Jafet, 131; 011-55-11-3841-4000; www.daslu.com.br
Galeria Thomas Cohn Nearly all of Brazil’s top art contemporary galleries are located in São Paulo. Galeria Thomas Cohn on the Avenida Europa is one of the top establishments. Jardins; Avenida Europa, 641; 011-55-11-3083-3355; www.thomascohn.com.br (Portuguese only)
Livraria Cultura Seeking some café reading? Cultura is your best bet for English-language books in São Paulo. The chain’s flagship store occupies the first floor of this high-rise building on Paulista Avenue. Jardins; Ave. Paulista, 2073; 011-55-11-3107-4033; www.livcultura.com.br
Mimosa This just might be Brazil’s most complete crafts store (they sell everything from ceramics to necklaces). Campo Belo; Rua Joaquim Nabuco, 275; 011-55-11-5561-6705; www.mimosa.art.br
Oscar Freire Street The Rua Oscar Freire has been compared with Madison Avenue in New York and the Foubourg Santi-Hornoré in Paris. The nine-block strip offers a wide variety of upscale boutiques including Diesel, Fause Haten, and Mont Blanc. Jardins; Jardins
Street Fairs Arts and crafts fairs are common in São Paulo. The best one takes place every Saturday in the tree-lined Benedito Calixto square. Browse hundreds of stalls selling arts, crafts, and antiques. Pinheiros; Benedito Calixto Square; www.pracabeneditocalixto.com.br