Ipanema

Though it’s but blocks from the beach, best leave your ‘kini at home for this itin. Begin at trad bookshop Livraria da Travessa / Rua Visconde de Pirajá, 572 (see V. Useful) / with a java jolt at the vibrant Bazzar Café upstairs. Energised? Good. Exit left, passing Brazilian jewellery behemoth H. Stern to turn left onto Rua Garcia d’Avila, with more fine gold bijoux by Leblon-born Antonio Bernardo at #121 / 2512 7204 / antoniobernardo.com.br. Ladies, dart across to #130 for stiletto legend Schutz / 2512 4141 / schutz.com, packed with rainbow-hued foot candy. Further along spy tapas spot ¡ Venga! (see Rest./Relaxed) at #147b, beside styley surfer mens’ den Foxton Ipanema at #147a / 3202 2692 / foxtonbrasil.com.br. Next, discover graphic resortwear (w) at #149a Lenny Niemeyer / 2227 5537 / lennyniemeyer.com, just next door to divine sweet box Chocolate Q at #149b (see Standout Stores). Exit and skip straight over the road onto Rua Redentor for mid-century mod mecca Arquivo Contemporâneo at #147 (see Adv. Shopping). Now retrace two blocks back on Garcia d’Avila, crossing Pirajá again to find Casa Ipanema at #77 / 3122 1888 / sandaliasipanema.com.br / the concept flip-flop flagship and arch-rival of Havaianas; duck upstairs to customise with prints, straps and charms. Cute! Exit back to Pirajá, turn right and cross for funky Rio-inspired luggage and lifestyle bits at #462b Gilson Martins / 2227 6178 / gilsonmartins.com.br. Note all-rounder medi-spa AmaDerm across at #433 (see Spa) should you need a quick pick-me-up, and casj day-to-night w/wear brand Eva at #430 / 2227 2138 / useeva.com. Now, options: on the next block are a few standout shopportunities, incl. the showy, oh-so-Rio Farm label at #365, beside the Shopping Fórum Ipanema which homes jeweller Sobral (see Standout Stores for both), and bijou bag lady Glorinha Paranaguá (see Adv. Shop.). Otherwise, turn right at the next cnr into Maria Quitéria for street tog specialist Homegrown at #68 / 2513 2160 / homegrown.com.br. Retrace and cross Pirajá once more to Reserva at #77 / 2247 5980 / usereserva.com / the menswear equal of Eva. Exit left and a few doors down is Osklen at #85 / 2227 2911 / osklen.com, the flagship of Brazil’s celebrity designer Oskar Metsavaht, with a special range of sport-chic m/w fash. Gents, if preppy is more your style, then #95 Richards / 2522 1245 / richards.com.br / should fit the bill with polos and bermudas aplenty, while next door Redley at #99 / 2267 1573 / redley.com.br / is a truly Carioca surf and skate hub. Hang a left at the next corner into Rua Barão da Torre for Forum Tufi Duek at #422 / 2267 2487 / tufiduek.com.br, with sexy urban w/wear pieces that have clad the likes of supermodel Isabeli Fontana. Retrace left onto Maria Quitéria again and spy sidewalk charmer Complex Esquina 111 (see Bars) at #111 for later. Next right into Rua Redentor and a block along is a strip of top nest-featherers, incl. décor dolly Novo Ambiente at #4 / 2513 2255 / novoambiente.com, and wallpaper n’ fabrics trove Espaço Orlean on the cnr at Rua Joana Angélica, 161 / 2287 8999 / orlean.com.br. Finito! Skip right on Joana Angélica two blocks to #40 Zazá Bistro Tropical (see Rest./Relaxed) for a coconut cocktail and fusion bites. Boa, gatinha!