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São Paulo – Beachwear/underwear brand Divino Fruto, of Santa Catarina, Brazil, drew inspiration from Morocco to design its 2018 summer collection. Owner Fernanda Elias said the Moroccan influence led to fluidly-designed items, such as kaftans, phat pants, scarves and turbans, as well as earthy tones and geometric prints.
A Lebanese descendant, Elias said that although she’d love to see Morocco, she hasn’t had that chance yet. I picked Morocco because of its richness of color and shape, of the fluidity of its fabrics, and the sophistication, which is what defines our brand,” the business owner said.
Research leading into the collection was done online, and customers are enjoying the designs. “People are just loving this collection, especially the versatile, reversible items, and the prints and colors,” she said.
Designer Larissa Honorato collaborated with Elias in designing the collection, Divino Fruto sells out of its brick-and-mortar store in Palhoça, Santa Catarina, as well as via resellers and on WhatsApp to all of Brazil.
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Elias, who plans on launching an e-commerce outlet by March 2018, reveals her perspectives for next year: “We’ve had clients in South Africa and the United States before, and now we’re looking to expand through e-commerce. Naturally, the next step will be to export, including to Morocco and other Arab countries,” she said.
Background
Fernanda Elias first started sewing underwear 10 years ago, which she’d sell to friends and acquaintances. That gradually evolved into a business as she began making beachwear items and opened her first shop, in Santo Amaro da Imperatriz, Santa Catarina. Three years later, she moved her brick-and-mortar outlet to Palhoça, in the same state, where she lives with her husband.
Click here to see the collection: www.divinofruto.com.br
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
