Christ the Redeemer, the 700-ton statue located high atop Corcovado mountain in Rio de Janeiro, is one of Brazil's most awe-inspiring landmarks, and the soapstone-and-concrete monument made rather an ironic backdrop for a wild South American rave that took place a few curves in the road below its feet. "It's true, he's watching you," said Alvaro Otero, who was playing host to Claro Rio Summer's penultimate night of dancing, drinking, and decadence. "So I'm counting on everyone being on their best behavior!" Not a chance.

From behind Otero's pool, the percussionists of the Grande Rio Samba School drummed their way out into the crowd with their scantily clad and heavily headdressed dancers behind them. "I swear, I'm looking at the workmanship," Justin Portman said, when one flexible and rapidly moving dancer gave him a good view of her teeny-tiny costume. That was nothing compared to what happened to Mr. Valentino, who was quickly scooped up and surrounded in a circle of popping, shaking, and jiggling flesh. At the finale, dancers in yet more over-the-top Carnaval costumes took over another part of the deck. As Natalia Vodianova joined in, she laughed, "I can't move my bottom or top half as fast as them!" Neither could the likes of Byrdie Bell, Zani Gugelmann, or Lady Gabriella Windsor—all of whom had enjoyed a few of the ready-made caipirinha drinks in tear-open packets that the Brazilians call Ones. But that didn't stop them from trying. "They can always go to confession in the morning!" The Daily Telegraph's Hilary Alexander said. "Now, where's the bar?"

— Derek Blasberg