Zuzu Angel
Encyclopedia
Zuleika Angel Jones, better known as Zuzu Angel (June 5, 1921 – April 14, 1976), was a Brazil
ian-American
fashion designer, who became famous for opposing the Brazilian military dictatorship after the forced disappearance
of her son Stuart
. Zuzu was also mother of journalist Hildegard Angel.
, later living in Bahia
. Bahian culture and colors significantly influenced the style of Zuzu's creations. In 1947, she went to live in Rio de Janeiro
, Brazil's cultural capital.
In the 1950s, Zuzu began her work as a seamstress, usually making clothing for close relatives. At the start of the 1970s, she opened up a store in Ipanema
, at the same time beginning to exhibit her clothes on American runways. In her fashion expositions, she always harnessed the joy and richness of the colors of Brazilian culture, making a name for herself in the fashion world of her time.
In the 1970s, her son Stuart, an activist against the military regime, was taken prisoner and killed by agents of the DOI-CODI
. From then on, Zuzu would enter into a private war against the dictatorship for the recovery of her son's body, involving the Embassy of the United States, the native country of her former husband and Stuart's father. The battle ended with Zuzu's death in 1976 in a car crash. Stuart's body was never found. His mother's death was investigated by the Comissão de Mortos e Desaparecidos Políticos ("commission on political missing and presumed dead"), under process number 237/96, and the Brazilian government later admitted that the State was involved in her death.
wrote the song "Angélica" in 1977.
The Tunnel Dois Irmãos, which connects Gávea
to São Conrado
, the same place where Zuzu's car crashed, was named after her.
In 2006, a film based on Zuzu Angel's life was released in Brazil. The title character was played by Patrícia Pillar
.
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian-American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
fashion designer, who became famous for opposing the Brazilian military dictatorship after the forced disappearance
Forced disappearance
In international human rights law, a forced disappearance occurs when a person is secretly abducted or imprisoned by a state or political organization or by a third party with the authorization, support, or acquiescence of a state or political organization, followed by a refusal to acknowledge the...
of her son Stuart
Stuart Angel
Stuart Edgar Angel Jones was an American Brazilian guerrilla fighter captured, tortured and killed by officers of the Brazilian military dictatorship.-Biography:...
. Zuzu was also mother of journalist Hildegard Angel.
Biography
As a child, Zuzu moved to Belo HorizonteBelo Horizonte
Belo Horizonte is the capital of and largest city in the state of Minas Gerais, located in the southeastern region of Brazil. It is the third largest metropolitan area in the country...
, later living in Bahia
Bahia
Bahia is one of the 26 states of Brazil, and is located in the northeastern part of the country on the Atlantic coast. It is the fourth most populous Brazilian state after São Paulo, Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro, and the fifth-largest in size...
. Bahian culture and colors significantly influenced the style of Zuzu's creations. In 1947, she went to live in Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th...
, Brazil's cultural capital.
In the 1950s, Zuzu began her work as a seamstress, usually making clothing for close relatives. At the start of the 1970s, she opened up a store in Ipanema
Ipanema
For other uses, see Ipanema . For the British rock band, see Ipanema .Ipanema is a neighborhood located in the southern region of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, between Leblon and Arpoador...
, at the same time beginning to exhibit her clothes on American runways. In her fashion expositions, she always harnessed the joy and richness of the colors of Brazilian culture, making a name for herself in the fashion world of her time.
In the 1970s, her son Stuart, an activist against the military regime, was taken prisoner and killed by agents of the DOI-CODI
DOI-CODI
The Destacamento de Operações de Informações - Centro de Operações de Defesa Interna was the Brazilian intelligence and repression agency during the military government . This period started on March 31, 1964 with the removal of the civilian government by military forces and ended in the 1984....
. From then on, Zuzu would enter into a private war against the dictatorship for the recovery of her son's body, involving the Embassy of the United States, the native country of her former husband and Stuart's father. The battle ended with Zuzu's death in 1976 in a car crash. Stuart's body was never found. His mother's death was investigated by the Comissão de Mortos e Desaparecidos Políticos ("commission on political missing and presumed dead"), under process number 237/96, and the Brazilian government later admitted that the State was involved in her death.
Cultural references
In homage to Zuzu Angel, and other mothers who were unable to bury their children, Chico BuarqueChico Buarque
Francisco Buarque de Hollanda , popularly known as Chico Buarque , is a singer, guitarist, composer, dramatist, writer and poet...
wrote the song "Angélica" in 1977.
The Tunnel Dois Irmãos, which connects Gávea
Gávea
Gávea is an affluent residential neighborhood located in the Southern Zone of the city of Rio de Janeiro. It borders the São Conrado, Leblon, Lagoa and Jardim Botânico neighborhoods and is famous for its high concentration of artists and intellectuals. PUC-Rio, one of the most important...
to São Conrado
São Conrado
São Conrado is an affluent neighborhood in the South Zone of the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro. It is nestled in between the wealthy neighborhoods of Barra da Tijuca to the southwest and Leblon to the northeast...
, the same place where Zuzu's car crashed, was named after her.
In 2006, a film based on Zuzu Angel's life was released in Brazil. The title character was played by Patrícia Pillar
Patrícia Pillar
Patrícia Pillar is a Brazilian television and film actress.-Biography:Patrícia Gadelha Pillar was born in Brasília, Distrito Federal to Nuno Pillar and Lucy Gadelha...
.