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Summer has arrived, and with it comes the promise of sun-drenched days, salty skin, and long, languid afternoons by the sea. Whether you’re staying in Dubai or jetting off to more distant shores, one thing remains certain: your beach wardrobe deserves a serious upgrade.
That’s where Frescobol Carioca comes in. A menswear brand that redefines resortwear with equal parts ease and elegance. More than just swimwear, Frescobol is a celebration of craft, heritage, and that elusive sense of understated luxury. Designed for men, yes, but with an attention to detail and elevated aesthetic that sets it apart from the rest. Think tailored silhouettes, sustainable materials, and a distinctly Brazilian soul.
We caught up with co-founder Harry Brantly to talk about the brand’s origins, its design philosophy, and the recent Dubai takeover at Twiggy Beach, a sun-soaked collaboration that brought a little bit of Ipanema flair to the shores of the UAE.
You founded Frescobol Carioca with the goal of capturing the spirit of Rio, but not in a postcard kind of way. What did you want people to really feel when they wear the brand?
When we started FRESCOBOL CARIOCA, the goal was to capture the lifestyle of Rio – that effortless balance between energy and ease, elegance and spontaneity. Rio is a place where the sea and the city are in constant conversation – people move seamlessly from urban life to the beach in a single breath. That rhythm shaped the brand. When someone wears our pieces, I want them to feel grounded in that duality: relaxed but intentional, casual yet considered. It’s not about standing out, it’s about feeling entirely at ease, wherever you are.
What does the beach mean to you personally? What memories or feelings does it evoke?
For me, the beach has always been a place of connection – not just to nature, but to people. In Rio, the beach is democratic. It’s where everyone comes together: to play, to talk, and to pause. Some of my most formative memories were made there: playing frescobol as a child, hanging out with friends, and feeling time slow down. That feeling of freedom, openness, and joy is deeply embedded in everything we create.
How has the game of frescobol influenced the philosophy and aesthetics of the brand beyond the beach bats?
Frescobol is certainly more than a game to us – it’s about the energy between people and is deeply symbolic of Rio’s lifestyle. It’s not about winning or rules, it’s about rhythm, flow, and connection. You play when you feel like it, stop when you don’t. Sometimes it’s competitive, sometimes meditative. That rhythm shaped how we think about the brand. It also influences how we design. We take simple, functional forms – like the frescobol bat – and elevate them through craftsmanship. What we call ‘craft-deco’ draws on Rio’s modernist and art-deco heritage and reimagines it through clean lines, natural materials and attention to detail. It’s about creating timeless pieces that feel easy and agile - frescobol is the ultimate metaphor for that.
Your pieces feel effortless yet refined. What’s the secret to designing clothes that feel as natural on Ipanema as they do in Ibiza or Dubai?
The secret is simplicity – but done exceptionally well. It’s about perfecting the cut, the prints, obsessing over the fabric (also knowing when to stop!) Our design team draws from global resort culture but always stays grounded in local lived experiences and, of course, what truly inspires the brand – our founding city. That’s really where the sense of ease comes from: it’s in the city’s DNA. In Rio, you move from the city to the sea and the beach to the bar without needing to change. There’s an elegance in that simplicity. That’s where the idea for the brand began – clothes that feel effortless but are crafted with real intention.
Tell us about your design process. Where does it start, with the fabric, the destination, the mood, or the man wearing it?
It starts with a feeling. Often it’s a mood or moment we want to capture – the golden hour light on a beach, the buzz of a summer evening, or the calm assurance shaped by a life well explored. Then we build around that, sourcing fabrics that feel good against the skin, refining cuts that move effortlessly, and integrating subtle nods to the places that inspire us.
Many of your pieces blur the lines between resort wear and everyday wear. Is that a conscious shift towards a more relaxed luxury aesthetic?
Absolutely. The idea of luxury has evolved, it’s less about formality and more about freedom. Our man wants pieces that feel polished but never rigid, something he can wear to a lunch by the sea or to a meeting in the city. That versatility is central to how we design. It’s luxury that breathes, that adapts, that doesn’t try too hard.
You’ve built a strong following beyond Brazil, with stockists worldwide. How do different cities, say Dubai, interpret your brand?
What’s been amazing to see is how our brand resonates in different ways in each place. Each market brings its own lens, but the lifestyle we speak to is universal. In London, there’s an appreciation for the craftsmanship and tailoring. In Dubai, it’s the seamless blend of leisure and elegance, that idea of living between sea and city which is core to who we are and really what makes Dubai such a natural home for us. There’s a strong appreciation here for quality and the details too: the pieces that feel elevated without being overdone. I love that.
Who is the FRESCOBOL CARIOCA man today? Has he changed since the brand first launched?
He’s evolved, just as we have. Today, he’s a global citizen. He might live in Paris, work between New York and Dubai, and escape to the coast whenever he can. What hasn’t changed is his attitude; he’s curious, warm, and worldly. He values quality but doesn’t need to shout about it. That quiet confidence is at the heart of everything we do.
Frescobol Carioca has found a home in places like London, Mykonos, and now Dubai. What excites you about the Middle East and Dubai in particular?
I love that it’s a place where cultures meet, where modernity and tradition coexist, and where people truly embrace a global lifestyle. What excites me most is the sense of possibility here. There’s an energy, an optimism, that feels incredibly aligned with how we think as a brand. People here value design and hospitality too, which I love – also living much of their lives outdoors, in motion, by the water. This alignment with our DNA made it feel like the perfect home for our first retail Outpost.
Your activation at Twiggy Beach is the brand’s debut in the region. Why Twiggy? And how does the location align with the brand’s world?
Firstly, it was very important to me that we didn’t just open a store. We wanted to create something experiential in a location that truly embraces the sea-to-city lifestyle we embody. We wanted to build a space where people could actually feel the brand, not just shop it. Twiggy offered that complete sensory experience, bringing together food, design, art, and a kind of ease that resonates deeply with who we are. As a setting, it’s visually stunning but also emotionally resonant. You feel something when you’re there. And working with the RIKAS Group made it even more special. They’ve built a reputation for bringing a certain European elegance to Dubai, one that blends warmth, culture, and considered hospitality. That connection to European beach culture felt very aligned with our roots and our broader lifestyle vision.
Have you noticed any cultural nuances or preferences from your Dubai clientele that surprised or inspired you?
What’s been inspiring is how intentional people are here about how they live and present themselves. There’s a strong appreciation for detail, from fabric quality to colour palettes, and a love for pieces that transition effortlessly from day to night. The region has its own rhythm, but the desire for thoughtful design and meaningful luxury is very aligned with who we are.
