A model displays a creation from Maria Bonita Extra's 2009 spring/summer collection during Fashion Rio Show in Rio de Janeiro June 10, 2008.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Rio de Janeiro's Fashion week is officially underway. It marks the return of veteran designer Walter Rodrigues. And there's a beach collection from Totem, reminiscent of the 1960's.

Rodrigues is back making party clothes. This is the essential Rodrigues - his claim to fame.

The latest collection, mainly in black, drew inspiration from ancient China and from the late actress Audrey Hepburn.

Rodrigues said his collection was also influenced by abstract artist Mark Rothko. Rothko is best known for contrasting bold colors against tones of gray and black.

Totem's summer/spring collection posed the question "why not?" There were colorful patterns set off by head ornaments consisting of metallic flowers and military helmets. The music of the Beatles and 1960's bossa nova tunes provided the musical background.

Designer Fred d'Orey, said he wanted to capture the tropical essence of Rio in his collection, so he introduced pineapples and bananas over solid colors.