Harry Brantly
FRESCOBOL CARIOCA, CO-FOUNDER
Meet Harry Brantly, co-founder of the uber-chic resort wear brand Frescobol Carioca. Born in Brazil and based in London – Harry has set out to bring the Carioca-lifestyle around the globe. In an exclusive one-on-one, Harry lets us in on the inspiration for the luxury brand, gives us the details on his favorite collaboration yet (hint: it’s a dream hospitality brand!), tells us his favorite hidden gems in Rio, and so much more…
Frescobol Carioca is best known for its beautiful handcrafted beach bats—from which the brand’s name is taken—and for the playful swimwear prints with reworked patterns inspired by Rio de Janeiro. With a focus on luxury fabrics and expertly tailored cuts, this luxe label epitomizes the sophisticated Carioca-style that’s laid-back and indefinably cool. It's one of our personal favorite menswear resort brands that is loved by many including the likes of Leonardo DiCarpio, Andy Murray and Iza Goulart.
We caught up with Harry Brantly, co-founder of Frescobol Carioca, who has set out to bring the Carioca-lifestyle around the globe… In an exclusive interview the Brazilian-born, London-based jetsetter lets us in on the inspiration behind the brand, gives us the details on his favorite collaboration yet (hint: it’s a dream hospitality brand!), tells us his favorite hidden gems in Rio, and so much more!
THE BEGINNING OF FRESCOBOL CARIOCA
“We came up with the idea when Max and I were on a surfing holiday on the west coast of France. We spent all our time playing with these beautiful beach bats that were given to Max for his birthday instead of actually surfing and people would come and stop, and stare, and ask about the game. At that moment we realized we had introduced Rio's beach lifestyle to another part of the world. That was our lightbulb moment to create a brand around that notion.”
At that moment we realized we had introduced Rio's beach lifestyle to another part of the world. That was our lightbulb moment to create a brand around that notion.
FINDING INSPIRATION
“We have so much inspiration from Rio; from the art to music, to landscape, to vegetation – we’ve done collections around Bossa Nova, Azulejos, and Jardim Botânico. The creative opportunity is so vast that it can be difficult to whittle it down and select the best ones, but we do that collaboratively with Ollie, our Creative Director.”
FAVORITE BRAND COLLABORATION
“The Aman collaboration, we’re now onto our second one. I think we’ve merged the aesthetic of the Tokyo hotel and our brand really well. ”
PHOTO: COURTESY OF AMAN RESORTS
FAVORITE DESTINATION
“I absolutely I love anywhere that I visit, but I love the Big Sur in California; incredible scenery, laidback California vibe, akin to Rio I guess. The new Ventana Big Sur is an absolute must!”
ON THE BUCKET LIST
“I’d like to go to all Aman hotels! Or Galapagos.”
PHOTO: COURTESY OF BELMOND HOTELS
HIDDEN GEMS IN RIO
“A trip to Rio is not complete without a visit to Ipanema, specifically I like to hang out on the far side of the Arpoador. The fantastic thing about the beach in Rio is that you don’t have to go anywhere, you can sit there and people will come and offer you acai, granola, prawns, sunscreen, freshly made caipirinhas, whatever you need – you don’t have to move! In terms of shops, a visit to Granado is a must. They’re an old, traditional, family apothecary, it’s being run by a really good friend of ours and is one of our partner brands. For cocktails, I like to have them around the pool at Copacabana Palace. And for restaurants, Bar Lagoa is great. It’s a really traditional open-air meat joint on the lake that’s run by these really grumpy, old, hilarious waiters – it’s not ritzy or flashy, it’s a place where the locals go, a real authentic Rio experience. My favorite gallery has to be Carpintaria.”
PHOTO: COURTESY OF BELMOND HOTELS
PHOTO: COURTESY OF BELMOND HOTELS
The fantastic thing about the beach in Rio is that you don’t have to go anywhere, you can sit there and people will come and offer you acai, granola, prawns, sunscreen, freshly made caipirinhas, whatever you need – you don’t have to move!
THE BEST BEACH IN THE WORLD
“A place called Lopes Mendes Beach off the Ilha Grande in Rio. It’s totally remote and you can only get there by boat. It’s my favorite because it’s essentially a beautiful, deserted beach, that’s calm on one side, where you park the boat, and on the other side, there’s a really nice surf break.”
MUST-HAVE TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
“I have got an incredible eye mask which is padded and velvety – I can’t live without my eye mask, that’s my in-flight essential. Armand Diradourian makes great ones. I also love my Rimowa carry-on luggage.”
I can’t live without my eye mask, that’s my in-flight essential...
MOST MEMORABLE FAMILY VACATION
“This summer we made the crazy decision to go to Patmos to stay with friends, and although it’s only in Greece it was a hell of a journey to do with three kids under three; you have to take a flight from London to Athens, then wait for six hours for the ferry, and it’s an overnight ferry. But, once we were there it was everything we dreamed of; incredible beaches, incredible food, very friendly people. It’s a star place to go to. ”
BEST ADVICE FOR TRAVELING WITH KIDS
“A dad always needs a backpack because it gives you two free hands at all times. I always carry my own muslin and spare clothes for me, in case the children have an accident – it’s not very glamorous.”
PHOTO: COURTESY OF SUNSET BEACH
WHAT’S NEXT FOR FRESCOBOL CARIOCA
“A large portion of our e-commerce business is in the States so we want to follow-up with some pop-up shops and more permanent shops in the USA, as well as more collaborations with American companies. We’re currently working with Barneys, Bergdorf Goodman, and we are working on a new collaboration with Sant Ambroeus. We’re also planning on a pop-up with Sunset Beach, so there’s lots to come!”
— AN EXCLUSIVE OFFER —
Receive 20% off your first order at frescobolcarioca.com when you use the code ITKE20 online. Special offer is valid through January 31, 2019 and is only applicable on full-price items only.*
