PatBO’s Global Moment Has Arrived For The Queen Of Poolside Glamour

BusinessRetailPatBO’s Global Moment Has Arrived For The Queen Of Poolside GlamourByKate Hardcastle,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. AKA The Customer Whisperer: advisor, broadcaster, Science of ShoppingFollow AuthorJun 11, 2026, 12:03pm EDTPatBO founder Patricia Bonaldi has become fashion’s ‘Queen of Poolside Glamour’, building a global luxury brand from her hometown of Uberlândia, Brazil. This summer’s Portofino activation marks another milestone in the label’s international expansion, bringing its signature embroidery, vibrant femininity and Brazilian craftsmanship to one of Europe’s most coveted luxury destinations.PatBOThe most interesting luxury brands rarely emerge from the places the industry expects.For decades, fashion’s centre of gravity has revolved around a familiar map. Paris. Milan. New York. London. The names change, the collections evolve, but the narrative often remains remarkably similar.PatBO’s story begins more than 5,000 miles from most of those conversations.Founded by Patricia Bonaldi in Uberlândia, a city in Brazil known for its embroidery heritage, the brand has spent years building a loyal following through craftsmanship, colour and an unmistakably confident view of femininity. Today, that following stretches far beyond South America.Triple ThreatOver the past three years, PatBO has tripled its wholesale business across EMEA, expanded its international footprint and continued to strengthen relationships with luxury consumers who may never have set foot in Brazil but increasingly understand what the country represents through the lens of the brand.I spoke with Patricia Bonaldi exclusively, and she told me that the shift has been both commercial and deeply personal.“It was not one single moment, but a series of moments that became very clear over time,” she tells me.MORE FOR YOU“Seeing women discover PatBO in New York, Europe, the Middle East and beyond, and watching them connect to the same emo...